Tharaka Nithi Health Workers Salary Suspension Bid

The County Government of Tharaka Nithi wants the Ministry of Health to suspend the salaries of health workers who have been on strike since January 2025. In a letter to Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga, Health CEC Dr. Gichuyia Nthuraku explained that the strike had disrupted health services across the county. Tharaka Nithi County requests suspension of salaries for striking health employees. According to Dr. Nthuraku, 138 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) officers failed to report to work between January and February 2025. Out of this number, 117 workers stopped reporting on January 20, while 21 others joined the strike from February 18. The Health CEC asked the government to stop salary payments for all the affected officers. He also requested that money already earned without actual work be recovered from their salaries. He included a list of the names of absent officers together with the dates they left work. The standoff began after Tharaka Nithi health workers raised complaints about what they described as unfair and exploitative contracts. Their strike has been ongoing for months, leaving hospitals struggling to serve patients. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale promised that the ministry would look into the matter. He said the government is committed to addressing the workers’ concerns, including salary increments and permanent job placements.