BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Public services in Nandi county remain paralysed for the fourth week following the sacking of over 1,800 workers after a staff audit revealed a massive payroll scam that cost the county more than Sh2 billion.
Most departments are not working, amid fears the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission may soon arrest those involved in the payroll scam that was exposed after Governor Stephen Sang invited the Public Service Commission to carry out a human resource audit.
The health department is worst hit as the county is battling another crisis with more than 144 public hospitals shut down following a strike by medical workers and shortage of medical supplies.
The strike that started this week has forced patients to seek services in private hospitals and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
Patients seeking treatment at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and subcounty facilities were turned away as health workers staged demonstrations in Kapsabet town.
Shadrack Tanui, the medical superintendent at Kapsabet hospital, said the facility is experiencing a complete shutdown, with all medical officers having downed their tools.
The striking health professionals, who include clinical officers, nurses, nutritionists, lab technicians, public health officers, have raised numerous grievances against the county government.
Among their demands are reinstatement of medical coverage, promotions that have been delayed for over eight years, payment of delayed salaries, and the reinstatement of workers who were dismissed as ‘ghost workers’ following the human resources audit.
Governor Sang admits the county is facing a health crisis but they are working to deal with the issues raised by health workers.
“We have a human resource crisis that was compounded by the recent human resource audit but we are on course in dealing with the situation,” he said.
The striking health workers have also cited a critical shortage of medical supplies, including drugs and gloves, as one of the reasons they are unable to provide services.
Nicodemus Chumba, the chairperson of clinical officers in Nandi, said they will remain out of work until the county addresses their grievances. Nandi Deputy Governor Yulita Mitei has also acknowledged the health workers' frustrations but attributed the situation to the delayed disbursement of county funds from the National Treasury.
“We are making every effort to resolve the matter and have engaged in talks with the unions,” Mitei said.
The county conducted a human resources audit in March 2024 in consultation with various stakeholders, leading to the termination of some workers identified as ghost workers.
Mitei said recruitment efforts are underway to fill the vacancies in phases, with no cadre left out.
Outlining the county's staffing levels, she said there are currently 3,003 county employees, of whom 1,759 are in the health sector, including 568 nurses, and 78 under Universal Health Coverage contracts.
“We have prioritised the most affected areas in recent job advertisements and will continue to do so in the upcoming phases, a second recruitment advertisement is forthcoming,” she said.
The deputy governor said the county has run out of essential medical supplies due to financial constraints but said orders for drugs have already been placed with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority and an additional local procurement of Sh10 million worth of supplies has been initiated.
Mitei urged health officers to give dialogue a chance, saying the county remains open to talks to end the stalemate.
“We are committed to honouring our promises, and promotions will be conducted in phases,” she said.
“Our priority is to ensure health services resume as soon as possible.
There is no witch-hunt involved, and we are dedicated to working tirelessly to resolve this crisis.”
The county has already advertised 254 job vacancies including positions in health that will ease the crisis.