Taita Taveta nurses down tools over allowances

More than 300 nurses in Taita Taveta County on Monday downed their tools paralyzing health services in all health outlets in the county.

While announcing the commencement of the strike, the National Union of Nurses Taita Taveta Region Secretary General Boniface Mrachui said that members of the union were forced to down their tools following unfulfilled promises by the county government.

Mrachui added that they have held several meetings with the County Executive Committee Member for health but nothing has been done so far.

The nurses are demanding more than Ksh 4 million in allowances owed to them by the county government and promotions, which they say were being blocked by some county officials.

Nurses are also demanding the full implementation of the new scheme of service and escort allowances which they say have accumulated since 2010 among other grievances.

According to the National Nurses Union chairperson, Taita Taveta County Halima Hassan, the hospital lacks equipment including enough groves to enable them work at ease.

She adds that the County’s referral hospital also lacks X-ray machine and stretchers to carry patients among other basic necessities.

The nurses are now calling on patients to seek medical attention from the neighboring counties until further notice.