Nairobi County Nurses, Laboratory Officers, Pharmaceutical Technologists, and Public Health Officers have downed their tools due to salary delays.
In a letter, seen by Kenyans.co ke, directed to the county secretary and head of staff, as well as Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, the medics' heads said that the strike was due to the delayed payment of June salaries, which contravenes the Employment Act,2007, section 18(1).
Confirming to Kenyans.co.ke in a phone call on Thursday, July 17, the National Chairman Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT), Peter Karegwa, confirmed that it is only Nairobi medics who are going on strike.
"Yes, we are going on strike, but it is not a nationwide strike, it is only for medics in Nairobi," Karegwa said.
According to the unions, the late payment of salaries has, as a result, caused them untold suffering, such lack of basic needs and transport money, factors that significantly limit their ability to deliver quality and efficient healthcare services to the residents of the country's capital.
"We regret to inform you of the withdrawal of health services by our members due to delayed payment of June salaries, which has caused them suffering," read part of the letter.
"Under the Employment Act, 2007, Section 18(1), every employer is obligated to pay an employee's wages in a timely manner,' not later than the fifth day of the end of the pay period'," the letter added.
According to the Unions, despite efforts to engage in consultation with the county government and health officials to address the issue, no action has been taken yet.
"This is therefore to inform you that should salaries not be paid in full by the close of business today, our members have been advised to stay away from their work station until full payment of the salaries," the letter stated.
The letter was signed by the branch secretaries of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT), and Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU).
The letter was received by the Office of the County Secretary on Wednesday, July 16.
The announcement comes months after the county government, on Tuesday, April 8, penned an agreement with the Nairobi County government to end the 5-week doctors' strike.
"After 39 days of solidarity, the Nairobi County Doctors’ Strike is suspended. We have secured a way forward for all 9 demands," KMPDU stated then.
