Health Services Paralysed in Embu as Workers Down Tools Over Delayed April Salaries

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The industrial action began today after the expiry of a seven-day strike notice issued to the employer, which the workers say was not acted upon or addressed within the required time.

According to the health workers, they are yet to receive their April salaries, a situation that has left many of them financially strained and uncertain about their welfare.

They further lamented that the County Government has not issued any clear communication explaining the cause of the delay or when the salaries will be paid.

Speaking outside the Governor’s offices, today Wednesday 13th May ,union officials representing different cadres of health workers said they had exhausted all avenues of dialogue before resorting to the strike.

They accused the County Government of failing to prioritize the welfare of medical staff despite their critical role in delivering essential health services to residents.

The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) branch leadership stated that nurses can no longer continue offering full services under conditions where their salaries are consistently delayed.

Branch Secretary Macharia Kanderi said health workers will only attend to emergency cases until their concerns are addressed by the employer.

He noted that the strike will inevitably affect service delivery in both county hospitals and health centres across Embu.

The union officials also raised concerns over what they termed as repeated violations of a legally binding agreement requiring salaries to be paid not later than the 5th day of the following month. They argued that failure to adhere to the agreement has led to growing mistrust between workers and the County Government.

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) also joined in criticizing the County Government, accusing it of ignoring long-standing issues affecting healthcare workers.

KUCO Branch Chair Aloysius Njoka said matters such as delayed promotions, non-remittance of statutory deductions, and unfulfilled Collective Bargaining Agreements remained unresolved.

He said the situation reflects a pattern of neglect that has persisted for years despite multiple engagements and agreements.

The unions have now called on the County Government of Embu to urgently address the salary delays and other outstanding grievances in order to restore normal health service delivery across the county.