Medics in Embu County have issued a seven-day
strike notice citing delay in release of their salaries for two months.
Denis
Mugambi, Chairman, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union
(KMPDU) Upper Eastern Region said the medics have also stagnated in their
current job groups for over 10 years without promotion.
Dr Mugambi lamented that doctors offering specialized
services have been serving in job group M which is for the interns
He noted that the county government has
not been remitting their statutory deductions to the relevant bodies.
He said this has left many of the doctors’
property auctioned after they defaulted in bank loans payment which has
adversely affected them.
On covid 19 allowances for the doctors,
Mugambi said it is yet to be paid by the Embu county government adding that
other neighbouring counties have paid their medics.
On car and mortgage loans, the chairman noted
the medics have been denied the loans citing that the loans have been given to
the executives only.
His counterpart, Elvis Mwandiki, Secretary,
KMPDU Upper Eastern Region, over 90 doctors in Embu have been affected however
noted the other counties in the region which include Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit and
Tharaka Nithi have responded well to the plight of their medics adding that
Meru county has effected promotions for its doctors.
Mwandiki faulted the Embu county government
for ignoring the plight of the doctors despite their frequent effort to have
them addressed.
He said they have written frequently with no
response and held meetings which are fruitless adding that the medics are left
with no alternative other than striking.
The medics said they are concerned with the plight
of their patients but have no other alternative other than withdrawing their
labour until their plight are addressed.
