The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has called for the arrest of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru for failing to reinstate 49 clinical officers, despite court orders directing their return to work.
Speaking on Tuesday, KUCO Chairperson Peterson Wachira and Secretary General George Gibore accused the governor of contempt of court, stating that her continued refusal to comply with legal directives showed blatant disregard for the law.
The union leaders emphasized that both the court and the Public Service Commission (PSC) had issued clear orders requiring Waiguru to reinstate the officers. However, she has allegedly ignored these directives.
“This is now the third time we are coming here, yet there is no court order suspending the ruling from Nyeri that upheld the PSC’s directive to reinstate the affected clinical officers. The court’s decision must be respected, and these medics must return to work,” Gibore asserted.
Union Chairperson Wachira urged Waiguru to resolve the matter immediately, warning that clinical officers would take drastic action, including crippling healthcare services across the county, if the governor continued to defy the law.
“Governor Waiguru has fought this battle for six years, keeping these health workers out of employment. But now, as she nears the end of her second term, she must do the right thing and obey the court’s directive,” Wachira stated.
The clinical officers also issued a stern warning, announcing that if their demands were not met, they would commence a full-scale industrial strike starting Monday next week.
Wachira further accused Waiguru of employing delay tactics, pretending to address the issue only when strikes were in effect, only to backtrack once the medics resumed work.
“We are tired of the hide-and-seek game. Starting Monday night, we will shut down health facilities across the county. The county government only pretends to have goodwill during strikes, but once we resume work, they fail to honor their promises,” he declared.
The 49 affected medics were among 200 health practitioners stationed at Kerugoya Referral Hospital, Kimbimbi, Kianyaga, Sagana, and other health centers who were dismissed in 2019. Their dismissal came after they staged a prolonged strike demanding payment of their overdue salaries.
Despite legal battles fought by their union and multiple rulings in their favor, six years have passed without any action from the county government. The medics now insist that they will not back down until justice is served.
Join Gen z and millennials TaskForce official 2025 WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
