Meru: 'Donkey is tired' Nurses say as strike enters 36 day

By Dennis Dibondo

Nurses continue with their strike entering the 36 day. Dennis Mugambi KMPDU upper Eastern chairman said the donkey is tired.

"We have 62 days without being paid we want the county government of Meru to remit our salaries today," Mugambi said.

 Led Nesbit Mugendi of Kenya National Union of Nurses(KNUN) said they were looking for promotions after working for several years without being promoted.

"We do not want any more talk please we are tired we also want additional staff to clear the work load for some of the health workers," Mugambi said.

He said many workers have not been promoted despite adding education and working for years.

He said the staffing ratio is beyond the recommendations by WHO where by one nurse serves more than 50 patients.

Elias Mutuma Secretary general for Kenya pharmacitical the workers said that many staff are facing financial hardships. 

"Others have been locked out of their houses because of rent arrears.we are tired of empty promises we want our grievances to be addressed once and for all," Mutuma said.

Moses Baiyenia of Kenya National Clinical Workers Union Meru Branch Secretary said they have been promised many things but very few have been forthcoming.

Baiyenia said they are told there is no budget when they seek better remuneration.

Mugambi Bakari, chair Kenya National Union of Nurses(Knun) said they have not been paid since June.

Meru county county executive incharge of Health Mungania said they are giving all clinical officers common cadres promotions on 13 September,2024.

Mungania said they have forwarded the names of health workers who are to be promoted to the county public service board.

"Next week there will be a meeting with the county public service board," Mungania said.