As medics in Machakos County begin their strike, the county government has issued a warning that employees participating in the industrial action will not receive their salaries.
Albanus Mutisya, head of the County Public Service Board, emphasized that out of the county’s ten departments, only the health sector has received promotions in the past three years.
He stated the county will not yield to what he described as an unfair demand for further promotions.
Mutisya noted that during the last nationwide strike, the county incurred substantial financial losses, as striking medics received full salaries amounting to millions over a 50-day period despite not reporting to work.
He added that while the county has addressed most of the medics’ demands, promotions would not be granted until similar adjustments are made for the 5,000 employees across other departments.
“This is akin to feeding one child while others look on from the sidelines,” Mutisya said.
Machakos County Secretary Muya Ndambuki, speaking to the media at the governor’s office, pointed out that the county’s wage bill already stands at 44%, exceeding the legal limit of 35% by 9%.
He cautioned that accommodating the medics’ demands could further strain the county’s finances.
Ndambuki highlighted that since 2023, more than 420 health workers have been promoted, with additional promotion arrears still being processed, and stated that the health department consumes 53% of the county’s budget.
Despite this, doctors, clinicians, and public health workers have vowed to continue the strike until their demands are met.
Last week, they reiterated their call for the county to redesignate specialists across all fields, implement overdue promotions, and honor a return-to-work formula they’ve advocated for over the past three years.
As a result, patients seeking services at public health facilities in Machakos County will continue to face disruptions while the standoff between the medics and the county government persists.
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