Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has reinstated 72 suspended health workers and renewed contracts for 388 others. She has also agreed to pay their salary arrears dating back to 2019 when they were suspended from office.

In a meeting with them, Waiguru said she had also renewed the contracts of 388 health workers.

They include 252 nurses, 73 clinical officers, 18 medical officers, 30 medical lab technologists, four dental officers, four radiographers, two pharmacists and five orthopaedic technologists.

The contracts will run for the next three years. “Our aim is to make Kirinyaga a world-class model in the provision of health services,” said the governor whose first term in office boasts many projects in health care.

She said the 72 practitioners have been paid their May BRIEFLY and June salaries and will get their arrears in phases as per a binding agreement between them and the county government.

A total budget of Sh280 million has been set aside to take care of the health workers’ pay, she said, adding that 60 per cent of the county’s budget goes to the health sector to cater for both development and recurrent needs.

Waiguru also promised to absorb the medics into permanent and pensionable terms in her next term as governor. She urged them to continue giving their best to residents, noting that the county’s healthcare provision has greatly improved.

Conducive environment

“The welfare of our medical practitioners remains an integral aspect of our health service delivery. We will strive to ensure that they operate within a conducive environment,” said the governor.

The reinstated medics confirmed they had received their May and June salaries. They pledged to continue rendering high-quality services and thanked the governor for reinstating them.

The health workers commended the governor for her efforts in improving the health infrastructure and provision of the required equipment.

This has enabled them to perform their duties in an enabling environment, they said, adding that they have been able to meet most of their performance targets.

Waiguru said her government’s flagship project, Kerugoya Level Five Hospital, would open its doors soon, offering residents specialised services previously sought elsewhere.

She added that the hospital will also offer medics an opportunity to serve in a high-end medical facility in the county.