State transfers doctors’ payroll to the counties

An empty ward at the Kisumu East District Hospital after patients were sent packing as striking medical staff stayed away on December 13, 2013. Photo/JACOB OWITI  Nation Media Group

By GERALD ANDAE

In Summary

• The workers, however, insisted they only recognised their contracts with the Public Service Commission (PSC), adding that the government’s move was meant to weaken their resolve.
• Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) secretary-general Sultani Matendechere said the move was uncalled for as doctors had not signed any contract with the county governments.  
• Council of Governors chairman Isaac Rutto said county governments were hiring health workers and had received applications from potential candidates.

• Doctors face the sack as strike enters its sixth day

Striking health workers have been left at the mercy of governors after the government said it had already transferred their payroll to the counties.

The workers, however, insisted they only recognised their contracts with the Public Service Commission (PSC), adding that the government’s move was meant to weaken their resolve.

“These health workers are not employees of the national government as they belong to the counties,” Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said.

He admitted that the government had failed in its bid to mediate a return- to -work formula between the workers and the 47 county governments.

However, Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) secretary-general Sultani Matendechere said the move was uncalled for as doctors had not signed any contract with the county governments.  

“We have never signed any contract with the county governments and it is laughable when a minister says that we have been handed over to the counties,” said Kenya Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists Union secretary general Sultani Matendechere

.

Mr Macharia said that some of the medics’ demands were unconstitutional and could only be addressed by Parliament. “We cannot recall the devolution of health services nor form a health service commission because this matter can only be handled by the Legislature,” he said.

However, he said the government would address some of the genuine issues raised such as developing a policy document by the end of February next year to guide health practitioners.

Some county governments announced over the weekend that they would not pay striking medics from December 11 when the court ruled that their strike was illegal.

“The court order issued last week made the health workers’ strike illegal and we must all work within the precepts of the law. We consider those who have not reported as having absconded from duty,” said Council of Governors chairman Isaac Rutto.

Mr Rutto said that county governments were hiring health workers and had received applications from potential candidates.

Monday Industrial Court Judge James Rika extended orders stopping the strike to December 24 when the case will be heard. He directed the government to serve the union with the orders.

READ: Court extends order stopping health workers' strike

The strike, which enters its seventh day Tuesday, has paralysed services in public health facilities in the country. Some deaths have been reported due to lack of care in the facilities.

gandae@ke.nationmedia.com