A section of health workers in Uasin Gishu has asked voters in the county to reject billionaire businessman Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop alias Buzeki’s gubernatorial bid.
This follows what the health workers say is a proposal from the independent candidate to hire staff in the health sector on a contract basis, instead of permanent and pensionable.
Speaking during a Uasin Gishu gubernatorial debate, Buzeki said as a way of addressing regular strikes that the health sector has faced since the inception of devolution, his administration will consider converting all health workers to be employed on a contract basis.
This proposal has however not gone down well with health workers, who are now vowing to campaign against him.
“We will not entertain any candidate who suggests that he will employ health workers on a contract basis,” said Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacist and Dentist Union (KMPDU) North Rift Secretary-General Dr Kamonzi Mulei.
“Converting permanent workers to contractors will dehumanize and demotivate the workforce. We need to support those that are committing to enhancing health workers working environment,” he added.
The health workers say the health sector is a key function that locals should not gamble by voting in a candidate that has openly shown plans to frustrate them.
“We have worked for 10 years without promotion and now an aspiring governor wants to make us contractors, where will be run to. Please elect leaders who will handle health workers better than the current administration,” noted Wambui Kariuki, a nurse at the Uasin Gishu County Hospital.
“Anyone saying he will employ workers on contract terms should be nowhere near the leadership. He has lost workers’ votes,” added Uasin Gishu branch Kenya Union of Clinical Officer’s chairman Denis Cheruiyot.
Dr Darwin Ambuka, the KMPDU North Rift chairman on his part said Buzeki was not the right person to take over as the governor of Uasin Gishu.
He challenged locals to keenly listen to all gubernatorial candidates’ manifestos and make an informed decision on picking the best person to take over from Governor Jackson Mandago.
The KMPDU North Rift chairman cautioned that should voters elect the wrong governor, they will end up suffering from a lack of better healthcare due to the regular strike of health workers that will come as a result of his poor leadership.
Aside from Buzeki, two other candidates are also in the race to be the second Uasin Gishu governor – UDA’s Jonathan Bii Chelilim alias Koti Moja and Mwalimu William Kirwa of United Democratic Movement (UDM).
