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Kisumu county is on the brink of a paralysing crisis as health workers and other county employees threaten to suspend all services over two months over unpaid salaries.
Frustrated by the ongoing delays and unmet agreements, the workers have vowed to escalate the strike until their demands for salary arrears promotion and better job security are not met by Friday.
The strike action is led by several unions, including the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya National Union of Public Health Officers, Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT), and the County Workers Union.
The health workers had begun their strike on October 23 with only emergency service's still operational.
"We issued a strike notice to the county on September 30 and initially suspended it, trusting they would honour their commitment; however, they have failed us again and now both September and October salaries remain unpaid," said Craus Odhiambo, Kisumu County KUCO Branch Secretary.
Odhiambo noted that for them to resume work, full payment is mandatory.
The health workers are also demanding that the county government address outstanding promotions and contract workers to permanent status to ensure fair play and job security.
"It's unacceptable for contract employees to perform the same work as their permanent counterparts, yet they receive lower wages.This is discriminatory treatment and must end," he added.
The union leaders warned that if the county does not pay the arrears by Friday, they will halt all services, including emergency care, forcing residents to seek treatment in private facilities.
"The county administration must understand the seriousness of this matter. If by Friday the two-month arrears remain unpaid, all health workers will cease even emergency services," said Maurice Opetu, Deputy General Secretary of KNUN.
Opetu emphasized that despite disbursement of funds by the National Treasury, the county has not prioritized paying the workers.
"The debate has led to untold suffering, with some of our members reduced ti begging to meet basic needs. We are saying enough is enough," he declared.
He added that the staff's morale had dwindled under the financial constraints.
In solidarity with the health workers, the Kenya County Government Workers Union's branch chairman Boaz Opiyo, however, criticised the administration for not prioritizing salary payments despite recent disbursements by the Treasury.
"The National Treasury's funds had already reached the county's account. Why are there delays in paying workers, or is the money being diverted somewhere? We need answers," he said.
Opiyo also urged the public to support the workers, highlighting the impacts the crisis has on service delivery and the welfare of employees.
"Come Friday if there is no payment; we are fully prepared to down our tools. The people of Kisumu need to know we are simply asking for what we have earned."
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