Kirinyaga health workers protest outside Waigurus office

There was drama on Thursday at the Kirinyaga County Government headquarters after hundreds of health workers threatened to storm the offices to get the attention of Governor Anne Waiguru.

Police officers were forced to mount heavy security and lock the entrance to prevent the health workers from making their way into the premises.

Led by the Central Region Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary Dr. Gor Goody, the workers walked for five kilometers to the headquarters in Kutus town from Kerugoya protesting against poor working conditions.

On arrival, they tried to force their way in but Gichugu OCPD Anthony Mbogo and Mwea-East OCPD Dorothy Gaitenga intervened and ordered police officers to lock the county headquarters gate.

Tension mounted as the heavily-armed officers cocked their guns to counter any possible eventuality.

The workers, however, dispersed after learning that Governor Waiguru was not in her office.

On Wednesday, Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru had threatened to sack the over 1000 striking workers if they failed to report to work on Thursday morning.

“We cannot accept Kirinyaga people to continue suffering because of people who want to push their political agendas,” said Waiguru.

Waiguru claimed that the health workers were behind the unhygienic conditions at the hospital and warned that the county will embark on replacing the striking health workers and employ other labourers who want to serve Kirinyaga residents.