Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General, Seth Panyako addressing the media at a past event.
The nurses’ looming strike is expected to officially start today, with the health stating adamantly that they will not resume duty until their grievances are addressed with 11 counties being involved in the stalemate with the government.
Addressing the media in Kakamega town yesterday, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (Knun) secretary general, Seth Panyako, said only 11 of the 47 counties would start their strike today.Mr Panyako said there was no commitment from the governors of the 11 counties to striking a deal with the nurses to persuade them not to down their tools, saying the county bosses had failed to implement the return-to-work formula that saw the last strike suspended.
The Union issued strike notice in November 2018 but the county bosses have given the nurses a dumb ear with the Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako warning that what is happening today in the 11 counties is just a tip of the iceberg.
“There is only one option to end this stalemate, which is for nurses to be paid,” Mr. Panyako said while speaking in Eldoret on Monday morning.
Strikes have become a common feature in Kenya and is seen by many as the only means of drawing the attention of the government and pushing it into actions. The recent stalemate saw the medical fraternity have their leadership engaged in a deadlock with the government which saw them in the courts.
Nurses hold their hands together as a sign of unity. They have vowed not to be cowed until their woes are addressed.
Mr Panyako said there was no commitment from the governors of the 11 counties to striking a deal with the nurses to persuade desist them from downing their tools, saying the county bosses had failed to implement the return-to-work formula that saw the last strike suspended.The counties are West Pokot, Kisumu, Nairobi, Kisii, Taita Taveta, Trans Nzoia, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Wajir, Elgeyo Marakwet and Kitui.
Mr Panyako said there would be no nurses’ strike in Mombasa, Migori and Machakos counties since the governors had fully paid the allowances the nurses were demanding.In Vihiga, Tharaka Nithi and Mandera counties, the strike has been suspended by the union after the respective county governments committed to pay all the allowances before the end of this month.
At least 18 counties will not be affected by the nurses’ strike because they had shown commitment to pay the allowances by the end of the month.The counties are Kakamega, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Bungoma, Nyamira, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kilifi, Lamu, Nandi, Makueni, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Bomet, Kericho, Narok and Tana River.