Kenyans have been warned to brace for medical disruption after the Kenya National Union of Nurses announced the commencement of a nationwide strike from January 23.
The union on Saturday, January 17, issued a seven-day strike notice, warning of a looming countrywide health service disruption should the government fail to implement the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
According to the union, the return-to-work agreement signed on November 2, 2017, remains largely unimplemented, despite seven years of sustained negotiations, follow-ups, and good-faith engagement.
Key terms in the agreement included progressive enhancement of the service allowance, risk allowance, and the conclusion and signing of CBAs in all counties.
An image of nurses at the Kenyatta National Hospital IDU-Unit based at Mbagathi participating in a Zumba class on 28th May 2021.
Photo
KNH
“The government has partially honoured the agreed terms, and this partial implementation has led to significant disharmony in nurses’ benefits and remuneration across the public sector,” the nurses’ union lamented.
It went on to add, “Such partial fulfilment constitutes a breach of a binding industrial relations settlement and undermines the trust between the parties.”
The union noted that the continued non-compliance by the government violates mutually agreed-upon dispute resolution mechanisms and deprives nurses of their rightful benefits.
In the strike notice, the nurses’ union criticised President William Ruto’s administration over its failure to convert Universal Health Coverage (UHC) nurses to permanent and pensionable terms.
The nurses also faulted the government for failing to implement the 2024/2025 Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) salary structures, which directed that a revised salary structure take effect from July 1, 2024.
“However, County Governments have failed/refused to implement these adjustments, resulting in unlawful underpayment and breach of statutory remuneration obligations,” the nurses claimed.
Additionally, the health workers also lamented the failure by the Ministry of Health to transfer budget and grants to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
According to them, the ministry has failed to remit budgetary allocations and grants to the hospital, thereby crippling its operations, constraining service delivery, and worsening working conditions.
They also complained about the shortages in public health facilities, insisting that the shortage of nurses remains unresolved, leading to excessive workloads, burnout and compromised patient safety.
“Take note that failure to address these grievances and provide a clear roadmap for implementation within seven days will prompt the union to escalate the matter and engage the nurses for nationwide industrial action,” it affirmed.
Ongoing Lab Technicians & Clinical Officer Strike
The ultimatum comes on the back of an ongoing strike by nurses, clinicians and laboratory technicians in Nairobi County over alleged poor pay and salary delays by the Nairobi County Government.
The industrial action began earlier this week by all cadres of health workers, with the health workers revealing that hospitals are forced to cut the purchase of drugs to pay workers.
However, Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration, on Thursday, January 15, termed the strike illegal and directed healthcare workers to resume work within 12 hours or face disciplinary action.
A photo of several doctors and nurses inside an operating room
Photo
Nati Shohat