Health workers in Narok County have issued a 14-day strike notice to the county government over what they term as persistent neglect of their welfare, and violation of rights.

Four major unions representing medical professionals have vowed to down tools if their grievances are not addressed within the given timeframe.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), and the Kenya Health Professionals Society (KHPS) jointly signed a letter dated June 30, 2025 to consider a laying down their tools.

The letter was addressed to County Secretary Mayiani Tuya and copied to Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, as well as top officials in the health, labour, and finance departments.

In the letter, the union officials, Manene State (KMPDU), Aron Kibet (KUCO), Misonge Elkana (KNUN), and Henry Twala (KHPS) expressed frustration over what they termed as chronic delays in resolving critical staff issues, despite numerous informal engagements with the county administration.

Among the key grievances raised are delayed salary payments without official communication, non-functional medical insurance cover, and the suspension of State Health Assistance (SHA) due to unpaid premiums.

The unions also highlighted unpaid salary arrears for officers recruited in 2022, three months of unpaid promotion arrears, incomplete staff promotions due to failure by the employer to conduct appraisals, discrepancies in pension contributions, and failure by the county to implement salary increments recommended by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in September 2024.

“These unresolved issues continue to severely affect our members, undermining their dignity, morale, and service delivery,” the letter read in part.

The unions are demanding full and immediate payment of all outstanding arrears, urgent reinstatement of medical cover and SHA services, settlement of all pending promotion-related payments, and completion of the promotion process for eligible staff.

They are also calling for a formal explanation and corrective measures regarding the failure to submit employee appraisals, an update on pension remittance status, and immediate implementation of the SRC-advised salary adjustments.

While the unions indicated their openness to dialogue, they warned that they will not tolerate continued exploitation, neglect, or violation of health workers’ rights. The letter also notes that the unions are ready to escalate the matter if action is not taken.

Our efforts to reach County Secretary Mayiani Tuya and Public Health CEC Antony Namunguk for comment were unsuccessful, as both officials were not in their offices and did not respond to phone calls.

With the health sector already under strain, the growing standoff between the unions and the county administration could disrupt service delivery if the impasse is not resolved swiftly.