Kidero threatens to sack striking nurses

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has threatened to sack and the replace striking Nairobi County health workers saying the county has resolved the outstanding salary and allowance issues.

Terming their strike illegal, Kidero intimated that most of the striking nurses belong to the Kenya National Union of Nurses and added that the county government only recognises the Kenya Government Workers Union.

“We have tried to engage the health workers but only a few have been reporting and I am now directing the county health services to recruit the officers to replace those who have deserted duty,” he said.

Kidero added that the county has already employed 226 health officers, bringing the total number of nurses to 3,000, to alleviate the health crisis facing Nairobi County.

Doctors and nurses around the country have been on a go-slow following the delay of their salaries.

On Friday, the County Assembly Committee on Health in Nyeri County dismissed a threat by the county executive to sack health workers for failing to call off the industrial action, which was in its third week.

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua had warned that all striking workers would be replaced, arguing that they have adamantly declined to resume duties despite assurances of addressing their grievances.

By Jemimah Gathoni