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Nurses’ union leader Seth Panyako has declined to call off ongoing strike, saying a court order obtained by governors has not issued such a directive.
The order, which the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) General Secretary was served with yesterday, suspended the strike for 60 days, pending an ongoing conciliation initiated by Labour Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani.
Panyako, who is expected in court on Tuesday, said since the strike was at the county level, he has informed the union branch officials of the orders, and it is up to them to take necessary steps.
“As per the court order, they (nurses) should be back to work. There was no order directing me to call off or suspend the strike. I have already informed counties of the court order, so if they disobey, what I am supposed to do?” posed Panyako.
President’s directive
This new stand by nurses is a sign the health workers might be losing their grip on the strike that started on February 4, and had President Uhuru Kenyatta’s office involved.
Following a directive by President Kenyatta that all nurses be at work by February 15 – which was partially obeyed -- the Interior Ministry has initiated a roll call, which will have county commissioners give updates on how many nurses report to work.
“The report must include names of health facilities affected, number of nurses participating in the illegal strike and action taken by your office to ensure service delivery to patients at all health facilities in your areas of jurisdiction is not interrupted,” reads the letter.
Panyako dismissed the move by the government, saying as far as he is concerned, the court has not declared the strike illegal.
He said health is a devolved function, and county commissioners have no say in handling the matter.
“If they want to start policing us, then let them make us state officers. We can disband the union and they pay us as state officers and we will not agitate anymore for pay,” said Panyako.
Nurses are agitating for Sh10,000 more in nursing service allowance and Sh15,000 more in uniform allowance. The allowances were awarded to them during the 2017 strike by the Council of Governors and the Ministry of Health as contained in a return-to-work formula.
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