Nurses in Uasin Gishu County Commence Strike Over Unresolved Grievances

The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Uasin Gishu Branch, has officially launched a strike across all health facilities in the county, citing years of unresolved issues with the county government. The strike, which began on Monday, follows repeated efforts by the union to engage in meaningful dialogue, all of which have been unsuccessful.

Speaking to the media in Eldoret on Monday, Mr. Kevin Kimutai, the KNUN Uasin Gishu Branch Secretary, expressed the union’s frustration over the continued neglect of nurses’ concerns despite numerous attempts to resolve the matter. He explained that a meeting held on 6th December 2024 revealed the depth of dissatisfaction among nurses, with promotion delays being a central issue. Nurses in the region have faced a two-year wait for promotions, with little action from the county government despite ongoing communication.

“Despite our numerous attempts to engage the county administration in good faith, including writing letters and seeking formal discussions with the board, we have been ignored,” said Mr. Kimutai. “Our patience has run out. These unresolved issues are not only demoralizing to the nursing fraternity but also detrimental to the quality of healthcare services in this county.”

The decision to strike came after a seven-day notice issued on 10th December 2024, which expired on 17th December 2024. Mr. Kimutai emphasized that the strike was not the union’s first choice but was a last resort due to the county government’s continued disregard for the welfare of nurses. He outlined several unfulfilled promises, including the implementation of overdue promotions, the re-designation of specialized nurses, timely remittance of statutory deductions, and the adoption of the 2024 salary structure proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

“We have exhausted all alternative avenues for dialogue. For two years, we have tried to engage the county government constructively, but our members’ trust has been eroded by broken promises and lack of action. We cannot continue working under these conditions,” Mr. Kimutai added.

The strike has had a significant impact on healthcare services in Uasin Gishu County, with many facilities experiencing disruptions. Mr. Kimutai warned that the failure to address these concerns would continue to affect the morale and professionalism of nurses, many of whom feel undervalued due to the lack of recognition for their specialized roles.

He further pointed to the financial strain caused by delays in remitting statutory deductions, which have created additional burdens for healthcare workers already facing challenging working conditions.

In a call to action, Mr. Kimutai urged the county government to prioritize the welfare of nurses and address their legitimate grievances to avoid further disruption of healthcare services. He also appealed to the national government, relevant stakeholders, and the public to support the nurses’ cause, emphasizing that the issues at stake ultimately affect the quality of healthcare for residents of Uasin Gishu County.

“We remain committed to serving the people of this county, but we also demand fair treatment and respect for the work we do. The ball is now in the county government’s court to address our concerns and restore normalcy,” concluded Mr. Kimutai.

As the strike continues, the union maintains that the resolution lies in the hands of the county government, which must act swiftly to restore peace and stability in the county’s healthcare sector.