LifeCare Hospital Employees Protest, Claiming Indian Cleaning Staff Earn More Than Senior Kenyan Doctors

Uasin Gishu: Workers at LifeCare Hospitals in Eldoret held demonstrations outside the hospital over alleged poor working conditions, delayed statutory deductions and claims of discrimination at the facility.

The medics staged the protests on Monday, May 25, saying frustrations among workers have been growing for months following changes in the hospital’s leadership.

Some employees claimed that despite raising concerns several times, hospital management has allegedly failed to respond to their complaints.

One medic said workers feel ignored whenever they try to air their views.

“We speak but it feels like nobody is listening to us. Even when we raise issues, they are dismissed quickly,” the medic claimed.

The workers also accused the hospital of understaffing, saying many employees are forced to work for long hours, including weekends, without getting enough rest.

Another medic said the pressure at work has affected their personal lives.

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“We are working too much yet we also have lives outside the hospital,” the employee said.

The protesting staff further alleged that the hospital has been facing shortages of important medical supplies and drugs. According to the workers, some patients are sometimes forced to buy medicine using their own money despite having medical insurance.

One of the biggest complaints raised during the protests was alleged discrimination in salaries and treatment of Kenyan workers.

The medics claimed some Indian employees holding junior positions allegedly earn more money than Kenyan medical professionals working in senior positions.

According to one worker, many Kenyan employees feel unfairly treated compared to foreign staff members at the facility.

The employees also raised concerns over delayed remittance of statutory deductions, including contributions to HELB, NSSF and SHA.

Dr Hazel Nduru, a cardiologist at the hospital, said employers are legally required to remit the deductions on time.

She argued that failure to do so affects workers and may go against employment agreements.

Some workers further claimed they could not access proper healthcare services despite salary deductions being made for SHA contributions.

The employees also accused the hospital leadership of favouritism and unfair management practices during the ongoing dispute.

However, the hospital management dismissed the claims and asked employees to follow official internal procedures when presenting complaints.

Human Resource Manager Joshua Rop said the management had not received formal written complaints from the protesting workers.

He said the hospital values all employees and remains open to dialogue.

Rop also urged the staff to return to work as management reviews the issues raised.

LifeCare Hospitals operates private Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals in several towns including Eldoret, Kikuyu, Bungoma, Migori, Mlolongo and Meru.

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