This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
Published on July 5, 2019, a Labour Court ruling has left health workers in Kirinyaga County reeling, with the court declaring their strike illegal.
Employment and Labour Relations Court Justice Nzioki wa Makau delivered the ruling, which allows Governor Anne Waiguru to institute disciplinary action against the over 750 medics.
However, in a surprise move, Governor Waiguru has extended an olive branch to the medics, stating that those who return to work by 12 noon on Friday, July 5 will not be sacked.
“Medical personnel who choose to return back to work immediately will not be victimized for their past participation in the illegal strike,” said Governor Waiguru.
She added that the illegal strike action by the health workers had been in contempt of court orders that ordered them back to work on two previous occasions.
But the workers, through their four unions, said they would immediately file an appeal after perusing the ruling.
“We must move to the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling which left the workers shocked,” said Central region Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Secretary Gor Goody.
