Uasin Gishu Nurses Stage Protests Outside Governor’s Office Over Unresolved Issues
“The county government has not taken our issues seriously. We have been patient for too long, but enough is enough. We will not return to work until all our demands are met,”
Nurses from Uasin Gishu County on Friday staged protests outside the governor’s office in Eldoret town, expressing their frustration with the county government’s failure to address their longstanding grievances. The demonstration saw scores of nurses chanting slogans and holding placards, demanding immediate intervention to improve their working conditions.
Led by Glen Kimutai, the Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Uasin Gishu branch, the nurses accused the county leadership of neglecting their concerns. They cited the county’s failure to attend scheduled meetings with Ministry of Labour officials, which were meant to address the issues affecting healthcare workers.
“We are tired of empty promises. Our members have been stagnating in the same positions for years without any promotions, despite funds being set aside for this purpose. The leadership has failed us,” said Kimutai during the protest.
The nurses also demanded the absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers, who have been serving on contract since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, into permanent and pensionable terms. They argued that these workers, who have been instrumental in providing healthcare during challenging times, deserve job security and fair treatment.
“These are healthcare workers who were at the forefront during the pandemic, risking their lives for the community. It is unacceptable that they are still being kept on temporary contracts,” Kimutai added.
The protesting nurses accused the county government of failing to prioritize healthcare workers, leading to a demoralized workforce. They further claimed that the lack of promotions and job security was not only unfair but also detrimental to the quality of healthcare services in the region.
“The county government has not taken our issues seriously. We have been patient for too long, but enough is enough. We will not return to work until all our demands are met,” one nurse declared during the protests.
The demonstrations, which lasted several hours, disrupted activities around the governor’s office and highlighted the urgency of resolving the nurses’ grievances. As the protests continue, there are growing concerns about the potential impact on healthcare services in Uasin Gishu County.
Healthcare stakeholders are now urging the county leadership to engage the nurses and find lasting solutions to avert a healthcare crisis. The nurses have vowed to maintain their stand, signaling that the stalemate could escalate if immediate action is not taken.
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