Mombasa's clinical officers demand unpaid salaries

Clinical officers in Mombasa have called on the county governor to address their unpaid salaries, which have been outstanding since their strike began in May.

Led by their national chairman, Peterson Wachira, the officers have urged the governor to honour his promise and settle their dues immediately.

"We have come here with a message that our people are suffering because they have not been paid their salaries as stipulated in our return-to-work agreement," he said outside the governor's office.

The July 9 agreement stipulated the reinstatement of withheld salaries.

"One of the agreements was that the withheld salaries should be returned. It is disappointing that not all officers have been reinstated on the payroll, and not all have received their salaries," Wachira added.

The clinical officers are baffled by the situation. "We wonder where the funds allocated for employees' salaries are going. It is also concerning that promotions, as promised, have not been implemented," Wachira remarked.

He emphasised the legal standing of their strike, stating, "We urge the authorities to fulfil the legal obligations because our strike was protected. There was an order protecting us and our salaries, yet they have violated it by halting the payments."

In May, the clinical officers staged a demonstration, marching to the Mombasa County Assembly to present their grievances to the Chief Public Officer.

They demanded an increase in the health risk allowance from 3,000 shillings to 15,000 shillings and an end to the reduction in clinical intern officer salaries from 115,000 shillings to 50,000 shillings.

The ongoing salary dispute has intensified tensions between the clinical officers and the county government, highlighting the broader challenges faced by health workers in the region. The officers continue to call for immediate action to resolve the issue and prevent further disruption to healthcare services in Mombasa County.