This archive report was first published on 6 November 2019.
Published on November 6, 2019, Kakamega County has initiated a massive recruitment drive to fill 183 health worker positions. The move comes after the suspension of some employees in June over forged academic documents.
The county is seeking to recruit 144 nurses, 26 medical officers, and 13 clinical officers to bolster its healthcare services. Candidates have been invited to apply for the jobs before November 8.
However, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (Knun) has expressed concerns over the recruitment process, citing discrimination against nurses with degrees. According to Knun Secretary Renson Bulunya, the process has been reserved for diploma and certificate holders.
“We find the recruitment process discriminatory because nurses with degrees have not been given a chance to apply for the positions," Bulunya said. “The vacancies available have been reserved for diploma and certificate holders.”
The union has also called for an increase in the number of nurses being recruited, from 144 to at least 500, citing a shortage of at least 250 nurses across the 12 sub-counties.
Additionally, Knun has raised concerns over the decision to hire clinical officers with diplomas at a higher job group than nurses with diplomas.
