Skip to main content

Chairmen of Sub-county Hospitals in Trans Nzoia Urge Nurses to End One-Month Strike

Chairmen of sub-county hospitals in Trans Nzoia have appealed to nurses to call off their strike, which has crippled public healthcare services in the region for over a month.

The chairmen urged the nurses to allow room for dialogue with the county government as efforts are made to resolve the issues raised.

"The county government has shown commitment to addressing their grievances through recent promotions. They should take advantage of this," said Saboti chairman Luke Naibei.

They expressed concern that the strike has not only disrupted the delivery of affordable healthcare but has also diverted revenue to private facilities.

They further challenged the nurses not to fall for political manipulation while advocating for their welfare.

"It would be unfortunate if we dragged politics into an essential service like healthcare, which deals with the lives of our people," said Naibei.

The chairmen also called for a reorganization of the county branch of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), which they say has antagonistic factions.

"We call on the Secretary General of the nurses’ union, Seth Panyako, to reorganize the union," said Jane Wekesa, Chairperson of Matunda Sub-county Hospital.

At the heart of the industrial action is the stalled 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). 

In addition to the CBA, nurses have raised alarms over a critical staffing shortage. With a rapidly growing population and increasing healthcare demands, the existing workforce is under immense pressure.

The union is also calling for the full implementation of long-standing recommendations by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

These recommendations include raising the risk allowance from Sh 3,850 to Sh 5,000; gradually increasing the uniform allowance from Sh 10,000 to Sh 25,000 over the next three years; and increasing the Nursing Service Allowance from Sh 20,000 to Sh 30,000.

Nurses are also urging the county government to enforce several pending circulars aimed at improving working conditions and ensuring fair treatment.

Further fueling the unrest is the county government's alleged failure to remit statutory and non-statutory deductions on time—an issue that has led to financial penalties and strained trust between nurses and their employer.
Labels:

POPULAR

Health Workers in Trans Nzoia Work in Fear Amid Rising Attacks While on Duty

Health workers in Trans Nzoia County are operating under heightened fear following a rise in attacks against them while on duty. The cacus of healthcare workers unions in Trans Nzoia, representing 17 different professional health worker cadres, expressed growing concerns about their safety, as incidents of violence and intimidation continue to increase in healthcare facilities. They highlighted a recent disturbing event in Sifatinga, where a clinical officer was assaulted. This incident is part of a broader trend, with four active cases of violence against health workers currently under investigation. “Health workers are increasingly facing danger simply by doing their jobs. The fear and insecurity among our members are palpable. This has to stop,” said Edward Cheruyiot, Secretary of the Nurses Union in Trans Nzoia. Cheruyiot said that in addition to the physical threats, health workers are also grappling with emotional and psychological stress due to these recurring attack...
Read more

Luhya Elders Rally Behind Dr. Wamalwa’s 2027 Bid for Trans Nzoia Governor

Elders from the Luhya community in Trans Nzoia County have thrown their support behind former Kiminini MP Dr. Chris Wamalwa’s gubernatorial bid, stating that he possesses the leadership qualities needed to spur economic growth and promote unity within the county. The elders, who held a consultative meeting with Dr. Wamalwa at his Kiminini home, said he is ready to take over the county’s leadership, noting that his ten-year track record as a Member of Parliament was remarkable. “We have given our blessings to Dr. Wamalwa as he crisscrosses the county to seek support from other communities since Trans Nzoia is cosmopolitan,” said Mr. Christopher Makokha, the chairman of the Luhya Council of Elders in the county. The elders explained that they have already settled on its preferred flag bearer for the upcoming elections, emphasizing that any other candidate seeking their endorsement is too late, as they do not permit double endorsements. “We are putting an end to the habit of eld...
Read more

Nursing Services Paralyzed in Trans Nzoia as Nurses Down Tools

Nursing services in public health facilities across Trans Nzoia County have been severely disrupted due to a strike by nurses. The strike was triggered by the county government's failure to address several key issues raised by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), the union representing healthcare workers. KNUNM Trans Nzoia Secretary, Edward Cheruiyot, stated that despite mediation efforts by the Ministry of Labour, which appointed a conciliator, no resolution had been reached. “The union has done its part, but the government has failed to avert the strike. The conciliator was appointed, but no meetings have taken place, and no progress has been made,” Cheruiyot said. At the core of the strike are several unresolved issues. One of the primary concerns is the failure to sign the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the 2025-2029 period. "Negotiations for the CBA have stalled. The government promised to form a committee to address the matter, ...
Read more