Elgeyo Marakwet County Health Workers have demanded an explanation from the government over the delay of their salaries for the last two months.
The Union of Clinical Officers branch secretary, Mark Kipsang who spoke on their behalf warned that they may result to industrial action if they will not have not received any feedback by today (Wednesday).
“Moving forward, I am calling upon all health workers that as from today at 9.00am if they will not have remitted our salaries in our accounts, we will not have any other issue other than to call for industrial action,” said the Secretary.
Kipsang added that they are finding it hard to meet their daily needs and other financial commitments due to the delay.
“We are parents, we have children who require fees, we have to meet our basic needs, on top of that we require transport to work, rent, water and electricity which because of the salary delay almost all of us cannot afford,” added Kipsang.
The secretary also added that the situation has gone to the extent of affecting their reputation as they have been reduced to borrowing monies from various people including shopkeepers and mama mbogas which they are unable to repay as they try to make ends meet.
“All these has affected our morale even before our families because, how can you go on surviving on credit, to secure even basic commodities?” asked Kipsang.
The Union leader called upon the incoming county government to dialogue with the health workers and listen to their grievances and ideas to enable effective service delivery.
“I am calling on the governor elect to sit down with us so that we can talk and see how we can improve our relations and working conditions as we don’t want the patients to suffer,” said Kipsang.