Nyandarua nurses strike over failure to honour return-to-work formula

According to the union officials led by chairperson Peter Ndimba and Daniel Mungai, the Branch Secretary, their key grievances include delayed promotions, staff shortages, and unresolved salary arrears. 

The Nurses' Union is protesting the failure by the County Government to implement a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Specific issues include: failure to honour a previously negotiated return-to-work formula; delayed promotions and confirmations for staff; staff shortages and a lack of essential tools; issues with medical cover and unpaid salary arrears; failure to implement the 17-tier grading structure; denials of leave and course approvals.

The Nurses staged peaceful demonstrations in Nyahururu on Monday, chanting anti-government slogans and waving placards.

The strike has adversely affected Health services in public facilities across Laikipia County, which will remain paralyzed until the issues are resolved.

The officials told reporters that they would not return to duty until their grievances were fully addressed.

The union has faulted officials in Governor Joshua Irungu's administration, including the County Secretary, Wahome Koinange and Macharia Gakiri, who chairs the County Public Service Board, for failing to resolve these issues.

However, Laikipia CECM for Health Services Dr. Albert Wagura Taiti, told Citizen Digital that the county administration was implementing some of the recommendations, albeit slowly, due to financial challenges.

He noted that in the recent past, some health workers were issued with confirmation letters of service on a permanent and Pensionable basis, and hence, it was just a matter of time before Human Resources issues are sorted out.