Laikipia Governor, Nderitu Muriithi made good his threat when he dismissed 61 doctors who have been on strike for the past three weeks.
On Monday, the governor, who spoke during a press conference held at Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, clarified that the doctors would be replaced by hospital administrators.
"We will be advertising for the vacancies of medical officers but in the meantime, patients will be served by the 24 medical managers in the county, including the Health executive and the chief officer who will be deployed in the two major hospitals in the county," highlighted Muriithi.
The county's doctors, who had earlier issued a 14-day strike notice, downed their tools on June 3 citing failure by the county government to implement their collective bargaining agreement and effect promotions.
They also demanded to be placed in the right job groups as well as have the arrears arising from delayed promotions cleared.
The county government instead went to court seeking an injunction to stop the go-slow, which they were granted.
Muriithi did not take the move lightly terming the strike as illegal, served the workers with dismissal letters on Friday.
They had earlier issued a 14-day strike notice after which they downed their tools stating the county government failed to honour the CBA.
Reports by Nation quoted the governor explaining, "It is very unfortunate that the specialists have chosen this path. They have been participating in an illegal strike."
"In that Job Group, they should know that promotions are not automatic and they can only happen when there is a vacancy at that level," ranted the governor.
The governor further affirmed that it was necessary to promote equity in the organization. This is because the doctors earn at least Ksh350,000 yet the county lacked resources to accommodate all their wishes.
"We have to promote equity as an organization, but in any case, we do not have the resources to accommodate their wishes," Muriithi clarified.
Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nyahururu County Hospital, Kimanjo and Doldol hospitals were majorly affected by the new developments.
