Healthcare workers in Kenya have criticized the government for the salary delays brought on by the failure to distribute funding to counties.

In a joint statement read by Dr Davji Atellah, secretary general of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), on Tuesday, the workers threatened to stop working if their outstanding wages were not paid within the following seven days.

PHOTO | COURTESY KMDPU gives government an ultimatum

They cited a letter from Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson Anne Waiguru, who claimed that the National Treasury owes county governments Ksh. 92 billion, and claimed that the healthcare sector did not appear to have received the necessary priority in the devolution of government that was put into place ten years ago.

Therefore, the healthcare workers requested that the government send the monies to the counties immediately through their various unions and societies so that they could facilitate the payment of salaries, among other things.

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Dr Atellah remarked that nearly 40 counties have failed to make statutory deductions and pay healthcare employees their salaries should disturb any good-willed Kenyan. He added that The few people who have been able to pay their bills have claimed to have agreements with banks for loans and overdrafts. We find it amazing that notifications of delayed salary payments and statutory deductions are constantly given to government workers, especially those who deliver crucial services in the health sector.

PHOTO | COURTESY KMDPU gives the government an ultimatum

He continued by saying that healthcare is an essential service. Unfortunately, unlike other public employees governed by the national government, such as the independent commissions, such as the police and Teachers Service Commission, the providers of critical services cannot obtain their compensation. That their members cannot afford the same services they provide is, to put it mildly, appalling. These consequently impact the level of living and motivation of healthcare workers, which hurts their productivity.

The KMPDU boss added: "Within 7 days, counties that shall have not paid the salaries and statutory deductions should not expect healthcare workers to report on duty. It is only through this, and various other recommendations made by the union to the national government in the recent past, that we - as a country - will be able to fix healthcare and make it work for all Kenyans."