Nyamira nurses down tools over unmet demands

Nyamira nurses took to the streets Thursday to hold peaceful demonstrations against the county government's delay in implementing several demands they have been pressing to be met. The nurses said they were not ready to return to work until the Government meets them.
[Stanley Ongwae]

Nurses in Nyamira County have vowed to paralyze services in healthcare facilities after they went on strike over what they termed frustrations by the county government leadership.

The nurses took to the streets of Nyamira County headquarters to protest the non-commitment of the government in addressing their grievances.

The nurses protested poor working conditions, stagnation in job grades, delayed salaries, and unimplemented collective bargaining agreements.

The Kenya National Union of Nurses Nyamira Branch Chairman, Samson Mariba, said the health workers had issued a strike notice to the county government 14 days ago, said their grievances had not been addressed.

According to the Union officials, the county had not paid nurses for about three months, while others had been demoted in circumstances not well explained to them.

"It is saddening that the county has never considered nurses as important healthcare workers. We want the Government to feel the pinch now that we have resolved to return to work only when our demands shall have been met," Justine Moriasi, the Organizing Secretary, said.

Shortly after moving to the streets, Health Executive Dr Donald Mogoi convened an urgent meeting with the representatives of the healthcare workers. However, they were yet to strike a deal with the workers.

"We have been engaged in talks about the various issues they have been raising with a view of finding lasting solutions. But it seems they are not patient enough to wait for the resolution of their issues," Mogoi said.