Trouble is brewing in Kisumu County where a frustrated group of clinical workers is smelling a rat in the delayed release of salaries.
The section of experts under the Ministry of Health’s Family AIDS Care and Education Services (FACES) program say they are yet to receive their dues as well as gratuities for the months of June and September.
In a message received by the CNYAKUNDI.COM news desk on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, Gabriel Owuor, a former employee in the program revealed he got kicked out after he spoke out against the unfolding fraud.
When they tried to approach the Director of Grants at the Kisumu County government, one Dr Ida Kelly, she blatantly admitted to their faces that the money meant to pay them in June had been “stolen” but reassured them of receiving their funds in due time.
On the other hand, Owuor adds, the accountant at the Kisumu County Public Service Board says the money meant to pay the clinical officers is still being held at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) hence the delays.
This has left them in utter confusion.
Below is a complete tale of his grievances.
“Good afternoon Nyakundi,
My name is Gabriel Owuor,a former employee of MoH-FACES program.
I have seen the work that you do that speaks for the voiceless and am impressed.
I need your help.
To date we haven’t received salaries for the month of September plus gratuity,in the month of June we were also not paid.
A Dr Ida Kelly, Director of Grants Management at Kisumu County told us we’ll be paid all our dues including the June salaries that she admitted to us was allegedly stolen.
As we speak the money is held by KEMRI according to the accountant so we don’t really know the truth who to believe.
Some of us were also laid off (me included) for speaking against the fraud at the County.
Kindly look into it and help us. Do not hide my identity.
Gabriel Owuor, Clinical officer,” he writes.
FACES describes itself on its official page as a program that seeks to build a healthy, HIV-free future through research, health care services, and training.
It mainly works in Nyanza’s Kisumu County to ensure that people get the care and resources they need to stay healthy, regardless of HIV status.
FACES is a partnership between Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the University of California San Francisco Parnassus Campus.
