Lamu Nurses Dig in on Strike Over Unmet Demands
The workers reiterated that their strike is not only about their well-being but also to protect the county’s health system.
The nurses stated that most of the problems they have been complaining about for years still remain outstanding. They noted that even after previous promises by the county, issues persist in their work and service delivery. Photo/ KBC Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
The Lamu County nurses’ strike has escalated to an indefinite duration after health workers held firm that they would not resume work until their complaints are attended to. The strike has witnessed public hospitals in the county operating at subminimal levels, and patients have had to travel to private hospitals or even obtain treatment from distant places.
Dozens of nurses on Monday conducted a peaceful protest on Lamu Island. They protested to the Lamu County Public Service Board offices, where they placed their grievances. The workers blamed the county leadership for negligence and disregard of terms of settlement agreed upon in past negotiations.
The nurses stated that most of the problems they have been complaining about for years still remain outstanding. They noted that even after previous promises by the county, issues persist in their work and service delivery. Some of the problems originated in 2017, and others were highlighted during a strike this year.
Their main demands are improved working conditions and timely payment of salaries and allowances. The majority alleged they have been operating in hard conditions, sometimes without necessary facilities, but their remuneration continues to fall behind. They also require implementation of promotions and transfers as had been agreed upon previous negotiations.
The workers reiterated that their strike is not only about their well-being but also to protect the county’s health system. They further noted that poor working conditions are also partly to blame for high staff turnover, which renders facilities short-staffed and patients under-served.
The locals in Lamu had become more concerned about the crisis. The majority of the families said that they were unable to afford affordable healthcare due to the fact that private hospitals were out of reach for them. They appealed to both the nurses and county government to resolve their differences early in order to break the stalemate.
The County Government has not issued a comprehensive statement on the new demonstrations, but officials have already blamed financial challenges on holdups in addressing some of the demands.
The nurses assert that they won’t be swayed by promises. They vowed to remain on strike until they see tangible action from the authorities. For them, to call off the strike before actual progress would be another repetition of broken promises.
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