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County did not intend to intimidate health workers, Garissa Health CEC tells MCAs

Last week, the healthcare workers went on strike, accusing the county of not honouring their return to work formula

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by STEPHEN ASTARIKO

North-eastern17 March 2025 - 17:55
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In Summary


  • Among the issues they wanted addressed were lack of promotion, lack of re-designation for those who completed higher education, denial of leave allowance, lack of medical cover, and uniform allowances.
  • On his part, the county director of health, Aden Hussein, informed the committee members that lack of financial and operational autonomy had been the biggest bottlenecks to the department's ability to facilitate the demands of the striking health workers.
Garissa County Health executive Ahmednadhir Omar when he appeared before the Assembly health committee
Top officials in the health department in Garissa have denied allegations that the recent disciplinary letters to the healthcare workers were meant to intimidate them.
Appearing before the Garissa County Assembly committees on health and sanitation chaired by Aden Odowa, health executive Ahmednadhir Omar and director of health Aden Hussein termed the allegations as untrue.
Last week, the healthcare workers went on strike, accusing the county of not honoring the 90-day return to work formula.
Among the issues they wanted addressed were lack of promotion, lack of re-designation for those who completed higher education, denial of leave allowance, lack of medical cover, and uniform allowances.
However, in a quick rejoinder, the department of health moved to take disciplinary action against striking healthcare workers.
In a letter dated March 5, written by the Health Chief Officer Abdia Abdiwahab, and copied to the health executive, the director of health directs the subcounty medical officers of health and medical superintendents to submit a list of staff under their jurisdiction who have deserted duty.
Aden Odowa, Garissa County Health Committee chair.
Khadija Idris, a nominated member, asked why the department wrote an intimidatory letter to the striking health workers despite picketing being their constitutional rights.
Damajale ward MCA Omar Abdi Hassan questioned the reason behind sending promotion letters to some of the striking health workers on March 7.
Another nominated member, Amina Bulo, told the health officials to explain why the county government failed to honour the return to work signed by the Garissa Governor Nathif Jama three months ago.
However, the health executive said the letters were only sent to health workers that were not part of the union, and that their action amounted to desertion of duty.
“I want to make it very clear to this honourable committee that the letters and a roll call conducted were not intended to intimidate the striking health workers but rather to maintain accurate records of attendance and necessary measures for continued operation for the interest of the patients,” Ahmednadhir said.
He added, "Our action was only meant to safeguard the rights of both patients and other employees who opted to remain on duty."

On his part, the county director of health, Aden Hussein, informed the committee members that lack of financial and operational autonomy had been the biggest bottlenecks to the department's ability to facilitate the demands of the striking health workers.

He emphasized how the implementation of promotion perks and other benefits requires a multi-agency approach involving the county human resources advisory committee, the County Public Service Commission, and the Treasury.

He expressed hope that the matter would be concluded following a meeting held by departmental heads, the governor, and the county public service board on the promotion of the 616 staff who deserved to be promoted to the next level.

On the promotion letters issued to some of the striking health workers while on strike, he said they were issued in 'good faith’ in anticipation more to be issued by the county public service board.

The majority leader Mohamed Abdi further advised the department to prudently utilise the Sh40 million that was allotted in the supplementary budget approved last week for the purpose of catering for promotion perks of the frontline workers, warning them against diversion. 


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