Striking Nairobi medics face an urgent ultimatum to return to duty within 48 hours or risk losing their salaries, as the County Assembly moves to end a work stoppage that has disrupted services for nearly three months.
The County Assembly Health Committee emphasized that continued refusal to work will not be tolerated, and financial penalties will follow for those who ignore the deadline.
Maurice Ochieng, Committee Chairperson and Mountain View Ward representative, said workers who have stayed away despite repeated calls will have their February pay withheld.
“We resolved as a committee that they go back to work within 48 hours, failure to which we will withhold their salary. They have been earning salaries for the last two months without working,” he noted, adding that several grievances cited by the unions were already being addressed.
“Some of the issues they raised are not labour related, and can be solved by the HR. We cannot afford to pay people who are not working,” he added.
The warning followed discussions with Health Executive Suzanne Silantoi, who assured the committee that most union concerns have been resolved, with the remaining matters progressing steadily. She said it is unfair for the strike to continue while solutions are being implemented.
“There was an issue regarding medical insurance, which has since been resolved. The scheme is currently operational, and the county has committed to remitting monthly Social Health Authority contributions alongside timely quarterly payments,” Silantoi told the committee on Thursday.
She also confirmed that employee promotions are expected to conclude by June 30, in line with the approved wage bill.
Governor Johnson Sakaja had previously urged health workers to end the strike or face dismissal during the state of the county address last month.
With the 48-hour deadline now in place, county leaders are warning that failure to resume work will attract salary cuts and potential disciplinary measures, even as engagement on outstanding issues continues.
