A growing number of medical professionals within Kiambu County have anonymously voiced profound concerns regarding the increasingly oppressive working conditions.
These frontline healthcare workers allege that their statutory right to annual leave is being systematically denied, while medical superintendents are being subjected to undue pressure through threats of personal financial liability, commonly known as surcharging, should they authorize any leave requests. Healthcare workers in Kiambu County reveal worsening conditions as annual leave is denied and medical superintendents face threats of personal financial liability for approving leave, exposing a punitive system driven by aggressive revenue targets.
This draconian directive appears to be rooted in an uncompromising emphasis on meeting aggressive county revenue collection targets, imposed by senior health officials, which prioritizes financial metrics over the well-being and rights of healthcare personnel.
Such a punitive environment has fostered a climate of deep demoralization and operational strain among the county’s health workforce.
The whistleblowers have provided official documentation from the Chief Officer of Health, calling upon the public and relevant authorities to urgently scrutinize and address these unlawful and ethically troubling practices. "Hi Nyakundi. I’m a doctor for Kiambu County. I’m reaching out anonymously to bring to your attention the alarming and worsening working conditions facing healthcare workers here. Doctors are being denied their lawful leave days, and medical superintendents are being threatened with personal financial liability (surcharging) if they approve any leave, on grounds of potential revenue loss to the county. This is not only unjust but deeply demoralizing to frontline workers. We are slaves to Wamatangi and his officers' revenue targets. I have a letter from the Chief Officer of Health that clearly outlines this directive. I’ll share it with you for verification, context, and for such an unlawful act to go public. I kindly request that you help bring this to the attention of the public through your platform, to amplify the voices of workers and push for justice. I would prefer you do not disclose my identity. Thank you for your continued work in standing up for truth and justice." Official letter from the County Government of Kiambu, Department of Health Services, dated 8th April 2025, addressed to Sub County Medical Officers of Health, Medical Superintendents, and Facility In-Charges.