Medical Workers Walk Off in Turkana, Citing Years of Neglect
Medical laboratory officers in Turkana County have downed their tools, accusing local authorities of turning a blind eye to an acute staffing crisis that has worsened over the years.
The strike, which began on Monday, has brought lab services to a halt in more than a dozen facilities, with workers warning that lives could be at risk if the deadlock drags on.
At the heart of the protest is a staggering shortage of personnel. According to Moses Emoit, a union official speaking in Lodwar, only 63 lab officers are currently deployed across the county’s 228 health facilities.
“To put it into context,” Emoit said, “Lodwar County Referral Hospital alone needs 56 officers to function properly. That leaves just nine to serve the rest of the county. It’s simply not workable.”
The situation is set to worsen. Six new dispensaries are expected to open this year under government infrastructure projects, but no additional staff have been earmarked to support them.
Union leaders say they’ve raised these concerns for years with little progress. “Since 2016, there hasn’t been a single round of new recruitment,” said Emoit. “Now, 16 facilities have been forced to close their labs altogether.”
In a further blow to workers, the union claims the county has failed to sign a recognition agreement that would allow structured discussions on pay, career development, and working conditions.
There are other complaints too: delayed promotions, ignored redesignations, and missing statutory deductions meant for bodies like NHIF and NSSF.
Among those striking is Stella Mwangi, a contract officer under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program. She’s worked in Turkana for 13 years and still earns less than her permanently employed peers.
“We do the same job, face the same challenges, yet we’re treated differently,” she said. “There are fewer than 150 of us. Turning our contracts into permanent ones should be manageable.”
The strike also taps into wider unrest within Kenya’s public health sector. Workers say morale is low and support from both national and county governments remains patchy.
As of Monday evening, there had been no formal response from Turkana County officials. Requests for comment went unanswered.
For now, patients across the region are left in limbo. And the striking workers, who say they’ve reached their limit, insist they won’t return until meaningful action is taken.
“This is not just about salaries,” said Emoit. “It’s about respect, safety, and the right to serve our people with dignity.”
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