The Nyeri County Assembly Committee on Health, has dismissed threats by Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua that health workers on strike would be sacked.
The Health Committee Chair Stephen Mwaniki pointed out that the County Public Service Board had no mandate to terminate the employment of health workers who were redeployed from the National Government.
Mr Mwaniki highlighted that the strike would only be resolved by dialogue between the County Executive and the health practitioners.
Governor Gachagua had given the health workers in Nyeri an ultimatum to return to work by Friday 4, contrary to which their jobs would be advertised as vacant.
The workers, however seemed unwavered after they dismissed the threat by the Governor and kept off work against court orders.
Nurses failed to assent to the resolutions presented to them on Tuesday by County representatives, hence bringing the crisis talks between the two parties to a stand still.
The County Health workers maintained their position claiming that they would not return to work unless their issues were addressed.
Nurses tarmacked Nyeri town with placards demanding for promotions, pay rise and house allowances among other grievances.
The Health Department in Nyeri County received Sh2.2 Billion this year which accounts for 43% of the Counties health budget.
“We do not know where this money goes to because the patients do not get quality medical services,” said Beatrice Nduati who is the Nyeri County Secretary of the Kenya National Union of Nurses.
The Health County Executive Dr Charles Githinji reiterated the courts ruling by urging the nurses to go back to hospitals as they looked into how they would address their concerns.
Meanwhile, Kisumu County nurses called off their strike when Governor Jack Ranguma hired 445 new workers while Tharaka Nithi workers stayed put to listen to the County Government's offers.
The country's Health sector has been rocked by numerous challenges, since it was devolved, raising concerns among a section of Kenyans who want the sector taken back to the National Government.
