County Workers Threaten Strike Over Medical Insurance
Kiptallam criticized the county government for failing to disclose the terms and conditions of the contract with Trident
Over 3,600 members of the Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) Uasin Gishu branch have called for the withdrawal of a Sh255 million medical insurance contract with Trident Insurance Brokers. The workers expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of medical services offered by the insurance provider, particularly through small, private hospitals in Eldoret and its environs.
During a heated meeting on Saturday, union leaders accused Trident of subjecting workers to poorly equipped health facilities. “Trident Insurance Broker lacks the capacity to provide adequate medical coverage to all county staff, including the governor,” declared Issac Kiptallam, the branch chairman. He urged Governor Jonathan Bii to terminate the contract and explore alternatives to prevent further suffering among county workers.
Kiptallam criticized the county government for failing to disclose the terms and conditions of the contract with Trident. He questioned why the insurer had restricted workers to seeking treatment at substandard private hospitals instead of referring them to well-equipped facilities like Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital or Eldoret Hospital.
The union has given the county government two weeks to revoke the Trident contract or face industrial action. Other union officials, including Secretary Hassan Wanwaso, Treasurer Winnie Tenai, and Women Representative Rose Maiyo, echoed the workers’ concerns.
Maiyo criticized Trident for its “negligence and incompetence” in handling medical claims. She argued that the county government should have involved workers in the procurement process for the medical insurance contract.
The workers are threatening to disrupt key services if their demands are not met. In response, Governor Bii assured the employees that he would address their concerns and urged them to be patient.