- Wachira accused the government of reducing clinical interns' salaries by more than 50 per cent
- He said their salaries have been reduced from Sh115,000 to Sh50,000
Image: AURA RUTH
The coast clinical officers have vowed to continue with their strike until the government addresses their grievances.
The clinical officers, under the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers have been on strike for 60 days now.
Chairperson Peterson Wachira said they have so far agreed on seven out of 10 issues with the Ministry of Health.
Among the three issues not agreed on, is the allocation of Sh3.5 billion needed to employ officers on contract on permanent and pensionable terms.
Wachira said the government has not shown good will to address the issues.
He spoke yesterday during a peaceful march.
“We are demanding respect for the work we do. It is not that we don’t love our patients, it is because of our employers among them, the 47 governors, have refused to do their jobs," Wachira said.
“They have refused to fulfill their promises despite the court order, forcing us to go on strike,” he said.
Wachira accused the government of reducing clinical interns' salaries by more than 50 per cent from Sh115,000 to Sh50,000.
The clinicians also want their health risk allowance raised from Sh3,000 to 15,000 as agreed in 2021.
“We are going to keep on fighting until the government respects our work. Even the constitution allows us to demonstrate," Wachira said.
Last week, the clinical officers turned down the government's request to sign an agreement.
“We have told them we are not in a hurry. We will not relent on our quest to ensure that our rights are served,” he said.
Wachira accused officials from Mombasa government of issuing threats to the striking clinical officers.
“The court stated very clearly that no one should be threatened. There should be no disciplinary actions and the ongoing ones were canceled. Therefore, they should not be stopped from receiving their salaries,” he said.
He urged the National Assembly and Senate health committees to ensure money is allocated to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement and interns are put on PnP.
On Tuesday, the clinical officers will hold a peaceful demonstration and present a petition to Parliament.
“JSS teachers went on strike after ours had began. Their issues have already been resolved. How do you want us to believe that there is no money?" Wachira asked.
“We will not go to court again because we know where the money is. We will take our petitions to Parliament and the Ministry of Health. We need conducive work environments to protect our mental health."
“One of our officers killed her child, before committing because of depression. Our fight is not about politics it is a matter of life and death,” he said.
About 175 clinical officers are on strike.
Kuco Kilifi chairperson Moses Kwande said Kilifi government has not committed or promised to give them what they want
“It almost seven years, our members have not been promoted, we have those who have gone for further studies and are back but have never been properly placed and re-designated," he said.
Kwande urged governors to address their issues.
On Tuesday, they visited the Mombasa governor’s office but were turned away and asked to send representatives.
Image: AURA RUTH