Homa Bay County is once again facing a serious crisis, and at the centre of it is Governor Gladys Wanga and her administration.
As doctors walk out of public hospitals, ordinary residents are left suffering, confused, and angry, wondering why essential services have collapsed while county leadership appears more focused on politics than fixing real problems.
Doctors across Homa Bay County have downed their tools after the county government failed to address long-standing issues affecting their welfare.
The strike, led by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, began after the expiry of a 21-day notice that the county government chose to ignore.
All public health facilities have been paralysed, leaving patients with nowhere to turn.
At the heart of the dispute are unpaid salary arrears and unremitted union dues. According to KMPDU Homa Bay Branch Chairperson Dr. Rodgers Otana, the county owes doctors about Ksh.7 million in arrears and another Ksh.6 million in union remittances.
Out of seven issues raised by doctors, only promotions were addressed, while the most critical concern, delayed pay, was ignored.
Doctors insist they will not return to work until all arrears are cleared.
This situation raises serious questions about priorities under Governor Gladys Wanga’s leadership. While health workers struggle to pay rent, school fees, and even access healthcare themselves, county leadership has remained silent or slow to act.
For a county where many residents depend entirely on public hospitals, this silence feels like neglect.
KMPDU Nyanza Regional Chairperson Dr. Onyango Steve described the situation as shameful, pointing out that healthcare workers cannot afford the very services they provide.
Some doctors are owed money dating back to 2021, yet they continued working out of commitment to patients. The county, he said, is severely understaffed, and delayed payments have pushed workers to the breaking point.
The accusations do not stop at unpaid salaries. KMPDU National Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dennis Miskellah accused the county administration of unfair labour practices.
He claimed that doctors can be removed from the payroll through phone calls if they disagree with senior officials, without following proper human resource procedures.
He also alleged that money deducted for medical cover is not used for its intended purpose.
Residents of Homa Bay are the biggest losers. Pregnant women, children, and patients with chronic illnesses are now stranded.
For them, this is not about union disputes or county politics; it is about survival.
Governor Gladys Wanga was elected with promises of better service delivery and improved healthcare. However, this strike paints a picture of an administration that reacts late and listens less.
While political engagements and public appearances continue, hospitals remain closed and doctors remain unpaid.
This strike is not just a labour issue. It is a test of leadership. The longer it drags on, the clearer it becomes that Homa Bay County needs urgent action, not political talk.
Resolving the doctors’ grievances quickly and transparently is the minimum the county government owes its people.
