By Gerald Mukembu
A dramatic scene unfolded at the Meru County headquarters as healthcare workers confronted County Executive Committee Member George Mungania, voicing their frustrations over unmet grievances that have left the health sector in turmoil.
Mungania struggled to communicate with the medics, who have been on strike for the past month, demanding explanations for the lack of action on their critical issues.
“Clinical officers in the common cadre will receive their promotion letters by September 13,” Mungania announced, referring to those delegated from the national government.
He added that County Secretary Dr. Kaimbi Atheru had submitted a request to the Public Service Board for promotions of non-common cadre officers, but his assurances were met with loud dissent from the audience.
The Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Nurses’ Meru Branch, Nesbit Mugendi, lamented that this crisis could have been resolved nine months earlier.
Meanwhile, Clinical Officers’ Secretary General Moses Baiyenia levelled harsh criticism at the Mwangaza administration, insisting they would not return to work until promotion letters were issued.
“This is not a political strike,” he asserted. “Governor Mwangaza promised to address all health workers’ grievances, including promotions and hiring additional staff, during her 2022 campaign.”
The sentiment was echoed by Upper Eastern KMPDU Chairman Denis Mugambi and Meru branch Nurses Union Chair Mugambi Bakari, both expressing concern over the growing number of retired healthcare workers being left unfilled. Elias Mutuma remarked that many of the medics’ demands are feasible to meet without significant funding, underscoring the urgency of their situation.
Despite Mungania’s plea for the healthcare workers to resume their duties, which included a commitment of Sh211 million for promotions, no resolution was reached.
The discussions ended in discord, with the medics postponing their protests for six days, threatening to return to the streets if they do not receive their long-awaited promotion letters.
In a show of solidarity, striking medics took to the streets of Meru town, wielding whistles and placards to express their dissatisfaction with Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s administration.
Their primary demands include immediate promotions, the hiring of new staff, and replacements for colleagues who have retired or moved to other opportunities.
