Nairobi: It's a relief for patients in Elgeyo Marakwet county after nurses in the county called off a strike which had paralysed health services since August 8. The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives Elgeyo Marakwet branch Secretary Benson Biwott said the strike was called off after the county government, led by the County Executive Committee Member in charge of the Department of Public Service Edwin Seroney, agreed to sign a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2025/29.
According to Kenya News Agency, the secretary stated that about 400 nurses in all health facilities will be expected to resume duty in the next 24 hours, adding that they had also signed a return-to-work formula and therefore no nurse will be punished for participating in the industrial action. Biwott mentioned that following daylong deliberations, nurses in the county will see their risk allowance increased from Sh3,850 to Sh5,000 as per the SRC circular.
The unionist noted that the County Public Service Board (CPSB) had also agreed to travel to Nairobi to seek the approval of the Salaries and Remuneration Committee (SRC) before they can implement other benefits for the nurses. He added that the CPSB will also issue contract letters for three years to nurses who had been hired as casuals at the Iten County Referral Hospital (ICRH) with better terms of service.
Biwott emphasized, 'We as nurses pledge to continue delivering services to residents as long as our issues are addressed.' Seroney assured that the county will do all within its powers to address their grievances, indicating that some were short-term, others were medium, and others were long-term, which may take more time.