The National Police Service, on Thursday, issued a warning to striking nurses following an executive order by President Uhuru Kenyatta directing they go back to work.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the police stated that they would provide security to nurses who wished to resume duty adding that those contradicting the order would be dealt with firmly.
"The National Police Service wishes to inform the public that all the concerned commanders have been instructed to ensure that those nurses who wish to resume duty do so undisturbed.
"We further wish to inform the public that adequate security will be provided around public hospitals and that anyone acting in breach of the Public Order Act will be dealt with firmly," the statement read in part.
On Wednesday, Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary-General Seth Panyako adamantly vowed that the nurses would stand firm in their strike.
When quizzed on his response to the presidential order, Panyako asserted that he was under the mandate of his employers (the counties) and thus did not find it in order to respond to the Office of the President.
“I cannot respond to him due to very important reasons, one being respect for the Office of the President. I have no answer for the president, I will only have answers to the employers, the County Public Service Boards,” he asserted.
The Secretary also declared that he was ready to be arrested if the State felt that he had broken any law in his role as a representative of the nurses.
Earlier on, the president instructed the National Police Service to take stern action against any picketers who may attempt to intimidate nurses who report back to work as ordered.
He added that any nurse who failed to comply with his, as well as the courts’ order, would be fired from both the county government and the Ministry of Health.
