Meru County Ministers condemn Health workers’ strike

The Meru County Ministers Forum has condemned the ongoing Meru health workers strike that has so far lasted three weeks.

Speaking at the Full Gospel Church in Meru Town on Friday, October 21, Bishop Edward Mburia, who is the patron of the Forum, said the county government should reach a memorandum of understanding with the health workers for them to resume work.

He condemned earlier acts where goons allegedly hired by a county government worker attacked the health workers.

“We know the effects of prolonged strikes to patients. We urge those involved to reach an agreement for services at the Level Five Hospital to resume,” he said.

On Wednesday, the County Government of Meru threatened to hold the October salaries for the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital workers who have been on a strike for three weeks if they do not resume work.

County Secretary, Julius Kimathi, issued a notice to the striking staff saying that they may not receive their monthly pay if they do not abandon the industrial action.

However, the health workers, through the Meru County Health Workers Union secretary General, Nesbit Mugendi, dared the county government to fail to pay their salaries saying that the move would not only amount to intimidation but also lacks legal basis.

Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, October 19 at the county offices, Kimathi said the county government cannot pay for the work not done.

“We have decided to stop their October salaries, but we would wish to clarify that no one has been sacked,” said Kimathi.

The health workers, however, said that should the county government make true its threats, they will deal it a major blow by taking the strike a notch higher and hold peaceful demonstrations to protest the move.