Lamu: Lamu County medical practitioners have initiated a strike over unresolved salary disputes and stagnant career progression. The industrial action includes nurses and clinical officers from various county health facilities, following the county government’s failure to meet their demands after a 14-day ultimatum expired.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Lamu County Health Workers Union Chairman, Stephen Ewoyi, expressed the medics’ frustration during a protest in Mokowe. Ewoyi highlighted the county administration’s reluctance to resolve long-standing issues affecting health workers, including the lack of promotions, which has left specialized medics in the same job group for over a decade. Despite assurances from the county government, these concerns have remained unaddressed since last year.

Ewoyi emphasized the need for fairness and equal career opportunities, urging immediate redesignation for qualified medics. LCHWU Secretary General Erick Otieno supported these sentiments, criticizing the county government for not offering Permanent and Pensionable terms and instead providing contracts that undermine health workers. Otieno also noted that medics have gone unpaid for three months, and the county has not implemented a six percent salary increment agreed upon by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission in June 2024.

Lamu County Health Workers Union Treasurer Wahida Baile stressed the importance of engaging health workers to prevent a health crisis. She urged the county government to prioritize the welfare of health personnel, who are crucial to achieving Universal Healthcare coverage.

In response, Lamu County Deputy Governor and CEC for Medical Services Dr. Mbarak Bhajaj acknowledged the financial constraints but reiterated the government’s openness to addressing the medics’ concerns, recognizing their essential role in healthcare service delivery.