Gladys Wanga is facing a serious test in Homa Bay County after doctors in public hospitals stopped working, bringing health services to a halt. The strike has left many residents stranded, with no access to basic medical care in government facilities across the county.
Doctors working under the county government began the strike after a 21-day notice they issued expired without a solution.
The medics, who are members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), withdrew their services from all public hospitals and health centres.
Their decision immediately affected thousands of patients who depend on these facilities for treatment, medication, and emergency care.
The doctors say the strike is mainly about money owed to them by the county government.
According to the union, the county has failed to pay salary arrears amounting to about Ksh.7 million.
On top of that, around Ksh.6 million in union remittances has not been paid. While some issues such as promotions were addressed earlier, the most important financial matters remain unresolved.
Union leaders say the situation has become too hard to tolerate, noting that some doctors have gone for long periods without full pay.
Health workers have described their situation as painful and frustrating. They argue that it is unfair to expect doctors to care for others when they cannot afford healthcare for themselves.
In some cases, salary arrears have stretched back several years, creating deep anger and distrust. The union insists that doctors will not return to work until all agreed payments are made and outstanding issues fully resolved.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]
With doctors absent, patients with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and those needing emergency treatment face serious risks. Some residents are forced to travel long distances to seek help in neighboring counties, while others simply go without care.
This crisis has drawn attention to long-standing problems in the county’s health sector. These include staff shortages, delayed payments, and weak planning. The doctors’ strike has exposed how fragile public health services can be when workers feel ignored and undervalued.
As governor, Gladys Wanga carries the responsibility of managing county services, including healthcare and the welfare of health workers. The strike has put her administration under pressure, with many questioning how the situation was allowed to reach this point. Doctors and union officials are calling on the county government to act quickly, honor agreements, and clear all debts to allow services to resume.
Wanga has built a strong political career over the years. She served as Homa Bay Woman Representative from 2013 and was re-elected unopposed in 2017.
She later became the first woman to chair the Finance and National Planning Committee in the National Assembly.
In 2022, she was elected the first woman governor of Homa Bay County and also holds a senior position in the ODM party. Her rise shows experience and influence, but the current health crisis demands immediate local action.
While the county government says talks are ongoing, doctors remain firm. They argue that promises without payment are no longer acceptable.
For residents, the hope is that both sides will reach an agreement soon. Until then, the strike continues, and ordinary people remain caught in the middle, waiting for healthcare services to return.
