The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has issued a seven-day strike notice over the poor handling of the healthcare sector by county governments.
Speaking in West Pokot on Sunday, April 20, the Union's Secretary General, Seth Panyako, claimed that county governments have not been remitting statutory deductions, which has led nurses across the country not to receive quality healthcare.
"Some counties are deducting funds from the salaries of workers, but they are not remitting, and I want to say that in the next seven days, if these funds aren't released, we will go on strike," he said.
"The county government of Trans Nzoia has been deducting salaries, but they have not been remitting money to pay for loans, their insurance covers, and union dues. It is not possible that you are offering health services and you yourself can't access the services," he said.
The SG has further pointed out that the counties have been reluctant in hiring more nurses, which has significantly downturned their ability to offer quality healthcare services in hospitals.
"They have denied nurses employment letters, yet there is a shortage of nurses, and it means that if a patient goes to the hospital, he will not receive quick services because there are fewer nurses," he said.
According to the Union, the county governments should consider channelling some responsibilities to the national government to ensure that the grievances of healthcare workers are effectively addressed and to streamline the healthcare sector.
The SG further emphasised the need for the national government, led by the Ministry of Health, to engage with both the healthcare unions and the county governments to ensure that devolution in the country works.
"If this devolution is not working, let's have a discussion and clearly define what is supposed to be done by the county governments and what is supposed to be done by the national government," he said.
Panyako's announcement comes barely two weeks after the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) ended a 5-week doctors' strike in Nairobi after reaching an agreement with the Nairobi county government.
Among the demands addressed by the deal included the reinstatement of dismissed county doctors, the issuance of 369 Permanent and Pensionable (PnP) letters by May 1, 2025, the clearing of Mama Lucy hospital arrears next month, the provision of gratuity to defunct Nairobi doctors by July, and a 4 per cent mortgage deal.
Other issues addressed by the deal include the reinstatement of doctors, salary harmonisation, and the promotion of doctors by mid-May.
