Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has been summoned to appear before the Labour Court next week to explain why she has not paid 20 doctors who are studying abroad.

Justice Monica Mbaru ordered Ngilu to appear in court on October 14 with the county’s service board secretary, Health CEC and Health Chief Officer to show cause why they should not be punished for failing to make payments as earlier directed. On October 5, the court issued an order directing Ngilu’s administration to pay the doctors their due salaries.

Through lawyer Henry Kurauka, the doctors told the court that they had not been paid their salaries and other dues since July 2021.

The doctors are in different countries pursuing post-graduate studies. The county said they had been recalled.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacist and Dentist Union (KMPDU) moved to court challenging the decision by the county to stop payment of the doctors salaries with effect from July 1 2021.

The union is also seeking a declaration that the respondents letter dated August 5, 2021 which stopped the salaries of their members was unconstitutional and should be declared null and void.