The nurses’ strike that had crippled services at public health facilities in Siaya has been called off following an agreement between the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) and the county government.
In a deal signed by union officials and senior county government leaders led by County Secretary Joseph Ogutu, the nurses agreed to suspend their industrial action for 30 days to give the devolved unit time to address their grievances.
Addressing the media at the county headquarters, Ogutu said both parties had reached a consensus on the contentious issues.
“We have signed an agreement with the union officials that paves the way for the nurses to resume duties with immediate effect,” said Ogutu, who was accompanied by County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr. Martin K’onyango and Chief Officer for Governance Walter Okello.
KNUN Siaya branch secretary Hamisi Kennedy said the decision to suspend the strike followed consultations with the employer and the union’s national office. He urged nurses across the county to report back to work without delay.
Branch chairman Dennis Omollo said the union had signed the agreement in good faith and expressed confidence that the county government would resolve all outstanding matters.
The strike began last Friday when nurses downed their tools, paralysing health services in the county. The health workers took to the streets of Siaya town and marched to the governor’s office to demand an audience with top county officials.
Their grievances include delayed promotions, chronic understaffing, and failure by the employer to remit statutory deductions on time.
They also accused the county government of failing to absorb nurses who have served under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme on contract for more than five years and of neglecting to implement provisions of a collective bargaining agreement with KNUN that introduced enhanced nursing and uniform allowances.
