Over 700 health care workers in Kiambu county have been promoted to boost their morale after waiting for years.
Speaking at the county government headquarters in Kiambu town on Tuesday, Governor Kimani Wamatangi said the promotions were well deserved since the healthcare workers have worked hard to ensure patients get services.
The ceremony was also attended by deputy governor Rosemary Kirika , Health CEC Elias Maina, Health chief officer Patrick Nyaga, Uthiru MCA Eric Ndungu, Kenya National Union of Nurses chairman Kiambu branch Hillary Kibiriti among other leaders.
Wamatangi said his administration is determined to end a trend where workers efforts are not recognised and will ensure hard working staffers are promoted.
He said since he took office after familiarising himself with what workers do, it came out that there were unfair working conditions and circumstances.
"The story that was predominant when we came into office is that we had healthcare workers who have served for over five years and are still serving at their stations as casual workers. Workers serving either as casuals or permanent for over five months without having been paid," Wamatangi said.
He said 693 health care workers have been promoted where another 29 are in the senior category of doctors, adding that promotions of county workers will be the order of the day moving forward.
He said more than 50 individuals were earning money illegally as a health liaison officer but their work was to blog politically.
"I found more than 50 individuals earning money which should have been earned by the real healthcare worker. Some of them had been listed as healthcare workers within various sections of this county being called liaison officers and were earning a daily wage, but were seated somewhere in a hotel blogging to abuse an opponent of a politician."
Wamatangi said it is justifiable for his administration to use Sh100 million more for payment of healthcare workers who have been promoted rather than paying individuals to blog.
The governor said his administration has made reforms to the health sector so that it may not be a punching bag for those who wants to fight or bad mouth his administration.
He said stealing of medical supplies which had been rampant in the county was no more and vowed to make things better. He challenged the health workers to co-own the process and ensure those who want to ruin the healthcare system are apprehended.
He said in June, the county government will commence construction of 11 new Level 3 hospitals and renovations of 13 health facilities which include Level 3 and 4 facilities.
"We have already prepared payments and are ready to complete all Level 4 hospitals under construction which include Bibirioni, Lari, Thogoto, Githunguri, Gachororo and Karuri. We have refurbished and repainted and will ensure that Thika Level 5 is up to the required standards," Wamatangi said.
He said his administration has not taken any credit or loan for the planned upgrades, adding that the county has money to do the works.
"No one who has delivered a single piece of medical supply that has not yet been paid. We decided to run a responsible system that does not plunder, misuse or waste public resources. We have embarked on a robust savings of any money that we receive," the governor said.
He however said the health department has built in their financial intermediary fund of over Sh400 million, which is expected to have raised Sh1 billion by the end of the year.
