Nurses union suspends strike that was set to begin tomorrow

The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has postponed to next year a nurses strike that was set to begin on Monday, December 10.

KNUN Secretary-General Seth Panyako says the union resolved to suspend the strike until February 5, 2019 to give the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) more time to implement the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed with the government.

Last month, nurses issued a notice to the Health Cabinet Secretary, governors and the Salaries Remuneration Commission, saying they will down their tools from December 10 until an agreement reached after a five-month strike last year is implemented to the full.

“You will recall that we have made several attempts by way of correspondences to your offices including requesting a meeting to discuss and ensure the same is implemented, but to this date nothing tangible has been forthcoming,” said Mr Seth Panyako, said Panyako in the strike notice.

Meanwhile, the nurses union has also called for the disbandment of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) over claims of massive corruption at the insurer.

Suspended NHIF Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Mwangi and Chief Finance Director Wilbert Kurgat have since been charged with failing to comply with a court order requiring them to produce any documents required by investigators who are probing alleged misappropriation of funds at the corporation.

On Friday, 21 suspects were arrested over allegations that Ksh.1 billion was lost through the Jambo Pay service at the NHIF.