This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
On July 9, 2019, Kirinyaga County Public Service Board issued dismissal letters to 459 health workers, citing their failure to report to work without leave or lawful action.
According to the letters, the affected health workers were instructed to report to their immediate supervisors and hand over any county property in their possession.
Kenya National Union of Nurses Vice-Secretary, Kirinyaga Branch Thomas Muthee, stated that 58 medical officers received their dismissal letters in the morning, while the remaining 401 received theirs in the afternoon.
The Public Service Board's letter accused the health workers of absconding duties, prompting the action. The fired health officers would also lose their benefits, the letter stated.
The dismissals came after Nyeri High Court judge Nzioka Mutua ruled that the health workers' strike in Kirinyaga county was 'permanently declared illegal, unlawful and unprotected' on July 3, 2019.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru announced the firing of all striking health workers in a media statement on July 8, 2019, stating that any officer who did not report to work by that date stood dismissed.
Union officials, led by KMPDU Central region Secretary Dr. Gor Goody, accused the governor of unlawful action, citing the judges' ruling as yet unsigned.
