Kakamega nurses vow to go on strike over poor working conditions

Nurses in Kakamega County have threatened to strike over poor working conditions.

Kenya National Union of Nurses General Secretary Seth Panyako and Secretary of Nurses Union Kakamega County Branch Renson Bulunya said they would go on strike on February 1 if the county government does not improve their working conditions.

They also vowed to make true their threat if the issue of nurses’ pension and promotion are not amicably addressed.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Golf Hotel in Kakamega town, Panyako said the money set aside for promotion of nurses had not been taken into consideration in the 2015/16 budget.

He rubbished claims by the county government that there would be no strike saying the issues raised are valid and should be addressed without fail.

Bulunya, on the other hand, said they will march to the office of Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya on February 1 to seek audience with him over the issues if no agreement will have been reached before then.

He noted that nurses on the ground have already been informed of the intention and added the strike will include mortuary attendants who are also health workers.

Bulunya claimed that there had been cases of intimidation by county officials over the strike notice and reiterated that the union will not be cowed into giving up on their push f0r better working conditions.

The notice comes a week after disagreements emerged between Panyako and the county’s nurses’ representatives on whether or not to go ahead with the strike.

By Fidel Odhiambo