Machakos Governor Ndeti tells striking doctors: ‘No work, no pay!’! In Machakos County, striking doctors have been warned by Governor Wavinya Ndeti that they will not receive payment unless they return to work. Ndeti stated that since the courts have deemed the strike illegal, the county government will not pay doctors who continue to protest in defiance of the law.
Speaking on Tuesday in Mwala Subcounty during a development tour, Ndeti highlighted that her administration has addressed most of the demands from the striking doctors, with the exception of a pay raise, which she says is financially unfeasible at this time.
Financial Constraints and Salary Freeze
Governor Ndeti expressed that while her administration is committed to supporting healthcare workers, an increase in doctors’ salaries is simply not possible under the current financial conditions. She emphasized that other departments have not received salary increases, so providing an increment solely for doctors would be unfair to other public servants.
“We cannot consider raising salaries when other workers across various departments have not seen any increments,” she said, pointing to the limited resources available to the county government.
Call for Increased Revenue from the National Government
Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi echoed Ndeti’s sentiments, pointing out that the county has promoted 422 healthcare workers since Ndeti took office. He argued that it would be inequitable for the county to focus only on increasing benefits for doctors while other employees have yet to see similar rewards.
Mwangangi also underscored a critical issue: the insufficiency of the shareable revenue from the national government, which currently stands at Sh380 billion. This amount, he said, is not enough to cover salary increments across counties. Mwangangi called upon Members of Parliament to advocate for an increase in funds allocated to counties, which could then help address salary demands across various sectors.
Continued Work by Nurses and Clinical Officers
Chief Officer for Medical Services, Justus Kasiva, reported that while some healthcare workers, such as nurses and clinical officers, have resumed duties, doctors remain adamant about staying on strike. Kasiva confirmed that the county has withheld payments for the striking doctors this month and plans to continue withholding salaries until they return to work.
“We cannot pay for services that are not being provided,” said Kasiva, adding that the county government is hopeful that doctors will reconsider and resume their duties, following the example set by other healthcare professionals who have returned to work.
Launch of New Health Facilities and Upgrades in Machakos
Despite the healthcare strike, the county government has been actively improving local healthcare infrastructure. During her development tour, Governor Ndeti inaugurated the new Kyamutwii dispensary in the Mwala/Makutano Ward. The governor also opened newly equipped X-ray and Ultrasound facilities at Mwala Level 4 Hospital, a move expected to significantly enhance healthcare access for residents.
Equipping the hospital with these advanced imaging services is a notable achievement, as residents previously had to travel to Machakos town for X-rays and ultrasounds. Many local residents have expressed relief and satisfaction at the availability of these services closer to home, as it saves them time and transportation costs.
County Spatial Planning Initiative Launched
Alongside healthcare advancements, Ndeti also launched a spatial planning initiative aimed at securing land ownership rights for residents in Machakos County’s major towns. The programme, inaugurated at Kabaa Market, will issue title deeds to residents by systematically mapping plots. This move is expected to bring long-term benefits to property owners by formalizing land ownership, thus enhancing economic stability and encouraging investment.
Ndeti highlighted that the spatial planning initiative is a significant step forward in securing property rights and fostering structured development in key urban areas within the county. Residents welcomed the news, as it promises greater security and value for their properties.
Balancing Healthcare Needs and Financial Realities
The ongoing doctors’ strike in Machakos County reflects broader challenges facing healthcare funding and workforce management across Kenyan counties. While Governor Ndeti’s administration has been proactive in meeting many of the doctors’ demands, limited financial resources and competing needs across sectors have prevented the county from offering a salary increase.
The push for greater revenue allocation from the national government underlines the need for systemic financial reform to adequately support county-level services. Without additional funds, county administrations across Kenya will continue to struggle in meeting the growing demands of public service workers, including healthcare professionals.
Looking Forward
As Machakos County continues its development initiatives, including healthcare facility upgrades and spatial planning, the government is keen on maintaining fiscal responsibility. The governor’s firm stance on not paying striking doctors is likely to set a precedent for future negotiations with healthcare workers and other public servants. The hope is that a resolution can be found that meets the needs of the county’s healthcare professionals while upholding the financial integrity of the county budget.
With her development tour in full swing, Ndeti is balancing both the immediate and long-term needs of Machakos residents, though challenges remain.
