Resignations, Strikes, and Strain  deepen Health Crisis in County

By Anchor Writers

The ongoing doctors’ strike in Machakos County has revealed a turbulent chapter within the county’s health department, marked by the resignation of top officials and escalating pressures on remaining staff.

The latest to exit is Dr. Jonathan Nthusi, the County Director of Medical Services, who officially resigned last Friday, citing personal and family reasons.

His departure adds to a troubling pattern, with reports spreading like a wild fire  that another key official, Communications Chief Officer Joyce Gituro, had quit.

However, Gituro responded to reports about her own resignation, claiming that she is currently on a 10-day leave. “Until then, I am still in office,” she told The Anchor as she addressed the resignation issue directly but ambiguously.

Sources say she handed in her resignation letter to the County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki.

Though Dr. Nthusi’s responsibilities covered the oversight of medical service delivery across all county hospitals, his role had intensified dramatically in recent weeks due to the doctor shortage. According to sources close to him, he endured near round-the-clock shifts at Machakos Level 5 Hospital to fill in for the absent doctors.

A source familiar with Dr. Nthusi’s routine remarked, “He was essentially living at the Level 5 hospital, trying to manage the overwhelming influx of patients. It was taking a serious toll on his health and energy.”

Dr. Nthusi’s departure is just one element of a much larger issue plaguing the county’s health services.

The prolonged doctors’ strike, which began in October, has crippled county hospitals, with Machakos Level 5 Referral Hospital bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Even with the assistance of Medical Superintendent Dr. Katua and a small team of contracted doctors, the healthcare demands of residents have far outpaced the county’s current resources.

A Trend in Wavinya’s Administration

Dr. Nthusi’s resignation follows on the heels of another high-profile exit in the county government: Housing and Urban Development Chief Officer Collins Adipo, who left office under the administration of Governor Wavinya Ndeti.

With multiple resignations in senior positions, there are growing questions about the administration’s stability and its ability to manage critical services effectively.

The Strike’s Roots and the Stalemate

The ongoing doctors’ strike stems from a series of grievances that have accumulated over the years. Some doctors have waited over eight years without a promotion, with several highly qualified specialists yet to be re-designated to roles fitting their expertise. Others have raised concerns over medical cover and allowances, claiming that statutory and non-statutory deductions have gone unpaid since July 2024. The doctors have also requested a formal recognition agreement, which would ensure they are officially acknowledged by the county government, yet the county leadership has resisted these demands.

The county administration has maintained that all issues within the health department have been resolved, except for promotions. However, they have taken a firm stance on refusing to compensate doctors participating in the strike.

Governor Ndeti’s administration argues that they cannot continue to meet demands that, in their view, have already been largely addressed. Yet, despite a court order mandating doctors to return to work, the strike persists.

An Uncertain Path Forward

As county hospitals struggle to operate without their full staff, Machakos residents face increasingly limited access to medical care. The mounting number of high-level resignations has only intensified fears that the county’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. Residents in need of urgent medical services find themselves caught in a power struggle between doctors and the administration, with no immediate resolution in sight.

Whether Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration can weather this storm and restore stability to Machakos’ health department remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: unless the deadlock is broken, Machakos County’s health crisis will continue to deepen, with residents paying the ultimate price.

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