Nurses in Uasin Gishu Strike Over Unresolved Grievances
“We have nurses who have served since 2008 without promotion, while others employed recently have been placed in higher job groups. This is unacceptable and discriminatory,”
By Jessica Nyaboke
Nursing services in Uasin Gishu County’s public health facilities were brought to a standstill on Monday as nurses launched a strike to protest the county government’s failure to address their longstanding grievances.
The nurses, who had issued a seven-day strike notice, commenced their industrial action, warning that they would take to the streets unless their demands are met.
Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Uasin Gishu Chapter Secretary, Gleen Kimutai, stated that the nurses would not return to work until the county government resolves critical issues, including salary stagnation, delayed and non-remittance of statutory deductions, and the county’s refusal to sign their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“The county government has failed to redesignate nurses who have acquired specialized skills and is yet to implement the 2024 Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)-approved salary structure,” said Kimutai.
Speaking in Eldoret at the start of the strike, Kimutai noted, “All other counties have implemented the newly approved SRC salary structure apart from Uasin Gishu. We are demanding its immediate implementation as it is our right.”
The union leader further revealed that their efforts to engage the county government over the past year to sign the CBA have been futile. “We even have a letter from the Ministry of Labour indicating non-conciliation,” he said.
Kimutai also accused the county government of reneging on its promise to promote nurses who have been stuck in one job group for years. “We have nurses who have served since 2008 without promotion, while others employed recently have been placed in higher job groups. This is unacceptable and discriminatory,” he added.
Additionally, the union demanded the confirmation of nurses employed under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program, some of whom have been on contract for over five years. Kimutai emphasized that this contravenes labor laws, which stipulate that contract workers must be confirmed to permanent and pensionable terms after three years.
“We are aware the national government has released funds to confirm these workers, yet the county government has not acted accordingly,” said Kimutai.
The nurses further alleged that the county government has been deducting funds for bank loans and other statutory payments but has either delayed or failed to remit them altogether.
The union maintained that the strike would continue until the county government adequately addresses their demands.
About Author
