Sonko strikes deal with striking Nairobi County nurses

Nurses working in Nairobi City County government hospitals have reached a deal on a return to work formula after talks with Governor Mike Sonko.

The nurses who had downed their tools over delayed allowances and stalled promotions have agreed to resume duty after Governor Sonko committed to ensure their grievances are addressed.

“All your allowances will be paid in the next 48 hours after we get approval from the Controller of Budget. We shall also implement the promotion of nurses as promised. We cannot fight over these issues as our patients suffer in the hospitals,” said Sonko.

Speaking at Charter Hall during the meeting with over 200 nurses led by their union officials, Sonko directed acting Health CEC Charles Kerich to form a 20-man committee comprising of county officials and nurses’ union officials to ensure all the grievances raised by the health workers are dealt with.

Sonko also promised the nurses that his administration will soon hire the unemployed nurses working in county facilities. The Governor has however attributed the delayed recruitment of nurses to technical issues facing the Nairobi County Public Service Board.

The County Government will also harmonize the salaries of the nurses among other issues raised by the nurses.

“We are going to give first priority to the nurses who are in our county facilities when we hire our next lot of nurses,” added the Governor.

The nurses Nairobi Union branch Secretary, Edie Muiruri who also attended the meeting, said they have ended their strike after the county government assured them of harmonisation of their salaries, payment of their new allowances and implementation of promotions.

“As nurses of this County we will continue to stand with you, what we are asking is you to stand with us during our difficult times. However, we are requesting for the appointment of Director of nursing services where we will be reporting all our issues,” stated Muiruri.

On his part acting Health CEC Charles Kerich assured the nurses that all their issues will be addressed.

“I want to guarantee you that as the Governor has stated, the Nairobi City County Government will fully honour all the promises made here to ensure uninterrupted delivery of health services in all out county facilities,” he added.

The meeting was also attended by over 20 members of the Nairobi City County Assembly led by the Assembly’s Health Committee Chairman Peter Warutere.

Report from Governor’s Press Service