The 400 health worker of the Kisumu county under the able leadership of its county boss, Hon Anyang’ Nyong’o have since been locked out of their work stations and their names struck off the payroll. This follows after Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s administration has implemented a raft of disciplinary measures against the non- compliant health workers who were strike “absconding duty”. On a statement by the current acting Health and Sanitization chief officer, Dr. Gregory Ganda, it highlighted that nurses wishing to resume their line of duty have been asked to reapply for the work.
Nurses in Kisumu despite the plea by the former Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga, to understand and at least sympathize with government downed their tools for up for protest on the December 7, 2020. And the move by the local government of Kisumu further seems to strain the rock relationship between the health workers and the county government. Not forgetting that some of the health workers demands were among them, comprehensive health insurance, personal protective equipment’s (PPE’s), free treatment for Covid- 19, promotions, designations, improved risk allowance, payment arrears and creation of a board which will deal with their employment. A commission referred to as the National Health Service Commission (NHSC).
Speaking earlier on the same the Health and Sanitization officer Kisumu County Chief Officer, Dr. Ganda said the nurses have since failed to return to work after the expiry of the seven- day return to work notice issued by Governor Nyong’o. In his notice, Dr. Ganda indicated that nurses should return all government property in their possession. Quoting on his statement he said, “All officers in this list have been withdrawn from the payroll hence forth and those who erroneously received their December 2020 monthly salaries, not having worked, shall have the same recovered.”
All nurses on annual leave have also been recalled to work and those who will face disciplinary actions are them that will not report back to work in the next 48 hours after the statement briefing.