Nyamira: The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has officially ended the industrial strike that its members had initiated in Nyamira County starting Monday, October 28. This decision comes after a successful negotiation and signing of a return-to-work formula with Governor Amos Nyaribo.
According to Kenya News Agency, the nurses decided to call off the strike on Thursday afternoon following discussions with Governor Nyaribo, who agreed to address their concerns amicably. Morris Opetu, the National KNUN General Secretary, highlighted that the nurses had raised issues about disorganized structures, an acute shortage of staff leading to overwork, unwarranted training levy deductions, and the administration’s reluctance to negotiate the last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
As part of the return-to-work agreement, the county’s service board will initiate the promotion of 83 nurses under the common cadre establishment immediately, aiming to complete the process by March 31, 2025. The implementation of t
hese promotions is set for April 1, 2025. Additionally, it was agreed that promotions for 148 nurses under the competitive cadre would commence on March 31, 2025, and be finalized by the end of June 2025. The resolution concerning nine nurses demoted due to irregular promotions is expected by November 2024 following discussions with the Board.
Governor Nyaribo assured that all arrears owed to newly recruited nurses would be settled once the county’s first supplementary budget for 2024/25 is approved. He also indicated that since the issues raised by the nurses affect all departments, chief officers have been tasked with listing all staff eligible for promotions to address these challenges systematically.
‘We are determined to have an efficient workforce where all workers have the same spirit of serving the people without feeling as lesser workers,’ Nyaribo stated.
General Secretary Opetu urged the government to maintain open communication with medical professionals and address their concerns proactively, r
ather than waiting for strikes to occur. He commented, ‘The County government should be proactive to prevent disagreements which otherwise should have been sorted without union members going on strike.’
The agreement, signed in the presence of County Secretary Dr. Jack Magara, County Attorney Erastus Orina, and Health Executive Dr. Donald Mogoi, ensures that all issues raised by the medics will be promptly addressed. The nurses have been assured that no one will face repercussions for participating in the industrial action.