459 Kirinyaga health workers sacked as union officials cry foul

A total of 459 health workers in Kirinyaga County on Tuesday received dismissal letters from the County Public Service Board.

According to the letters signed by the county secretary, the affected health workers were advised to report to their immediate supervisor and hand over any  property belonging to the county government that may be in their possession.

Kenya National Union of Nurses Vice-Secretary, Kirinyaga Branch Thomas Muthee, said 58 medical officers received their sacking letters after reporting to their working facilities early in the morning while the other 401 had received their sacking letters by afternoon.

In the letter, the Public Service Board accused the health workers of absconding duties without leave or lawful action prompting them to take action.

The  letter also stated that the fired health officers would lose their benefits.

This came after Nyeri High Court judge Nzioka Mutua last week ruled that the health workers strike in Kirinyaga county was “permanently declared illegal, unlawful and unprotected.”

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on Monday released a media statement announcing the firing of all striking health workers.

“Any officer who did not report to work by Monday 8th July, 2019 stands dismissed and should collect their letters of termination from their previous duty stations,” read Waiguru’s statement.

Union officials led by KMPDU Central region Secretary Dr. Gor Goody accused the Kirinyaga Governor for unlawfully firing workers saying the judges’ ruling was yet to be signed.

”We are waiting for the Nyeri Court ruling sheet to challenge the verdict in the court of appeal. We want to be listened to and we shall therefore take action, ” said Goody.