Uasin Gishu Nurses Begin Strike Over Unresolved Grievances, Demand Immediate Action
“Despite our numerous attempts to engage the county administration in good faith, including writing letters and seeking formal discussions with the board, we have been ignored,” said Mr. Kimutai.
Uasin Gishu nurses take to the streets of Eldoret, demanding action from the county government on long-standing issues affecting their welfare and working conditions
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Uasin Gishu Branch, under the leadership of its Branch Secretary, Mr. Kevin Kimutai, has declared the official commencement of a strike across all health facilities in Uasin Gishu County. Speaking to the media in Eldoret on Monday, Mr. Kimutai expressed deep frustration over unresolved grievances that have persisted for years, despite repeated efforts to engage with the county government.
Mr. Kimutai explained that the union held a meeting with its members on Friday, 6th December 2024, to deliberate on critical concerns affecting nurses in the region. Foremost among these issues is the prolonged delay in promoting nurses, a matter that has been pending despite ongoing dialogue with the county government. He revealed that for the past two years, the union has been in constant communication with the employer, sending letters and seeking meetings, but their efforts have been met with little to no action.
“Despite our numerous attempts to engage the county administration in good faith, including writing letters and seeking formal discussions with the board, we have been ignored,” said Mr. Kimutai. “Our patience has run out. These unresolved issues are not only demoralizing to the nursing fraternity but also detrimental to the quality of healthcare services in this county.”
The strike notice, which was issued on 10th December 2024, ran for seven days, ending on 17th December 2024. Mr. Kimutai highlighted that the decision to strike was not made lightly but was necessitated by the county government’s continued disregard for the welfare of nurses. He pointed to the failure to honor previous commitments made to the union, including the implementation of long-overdue promotions, re-designation of specialized nurses, timely remittance of statutory deductions, and adoption of the 2024 salary structure proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
He added that the union has exhausted all alternative avenues for dialogue. “For two years, we have tried to engage the county government constructively. Our members have been patient, but their trust has been eroded by unfulfilled promises and lack of action. We cannot continue working under these conditions,” he stated.
The union has expressed grave concern over the impact of these failures on the morale and professionalism of nurses, emphasizing that specialized nurses continue to offer their expertise without proper recognition or adjustment of their designations. Furthermore, delays in remitting statutory deductions have created financial burdens for many healthcare workers, compounding the already difficult circumstances they face.
Mr. Kimutai called on the county government to prioritize the welfare of nurses, noting that their grievances are legitimate and must be addressed urgently to avoid a prolonged disruption of healthcare services. He also appealed to the national government, relevant stakeholders, and the public to support their cause, as the issues at hand ultimately affect the delivery of quality healthcare to residents of Uasin Gishu County.
The strike has disrupted services across county health facilities, with the union maintaining that the county government holds the key to resolving the impasse. “We remain committed to serving the people of this county, but we also demand fair treatment and respect for the work we do. The ball is now in the county government’s court to address our concerns and restore normalcy,” concluded Mr. Kimutai.
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