Trans Nzoia County Nurses Issue 7- Day Strike
Notice over failed agreement with County Government, No Negotiations.
By Sefu Sabila
Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Trans Nzoia County has announced a 7-day strike notice by nurses across the county.
Speaking on Saturday, September 14, in Kitale, the union's chairperson Edward Cheruiyot faulted the county government for failing to keep its agreement on provision of drugs and employment of nurses.
"You lied to us on employing more nurses and availability of medicines, but none of the promises has been achieved. We are tired, and as from September 25, we will not offer services county facilities, on expiry of our agreement. We are not negotiating, we will negotiate when in the streets," Cheruiyot stated.
Before the strike notice, the ministry of health refuted claims of a viral video on social media of the new commissioned Kijana Wamalwa Teaching and Referral Hospital poor sanitation and lack of medicines.
Speaking after meeting with the medical officers at the facility, the county boss George Natembeya asked the doctors using government facilities to manage their clinics to resign, as the county is not benefiting from their services.
In support of the nurses planned strike, Samuel Kiboi the chairperson Workers Union in the county further faulted Natembeya for issuing a late circular on delay of workers salary, terming theove unfair.
He also questioned the governor's move to withdraw workers medical insurance covers from facilities with no explanation, with majority of them unable to receive treatment in the facilities within the county.
"It cannot be that you come out 10 and tell workers there will be no salaries, it doesn't work that way. We want to tell governor that he took away our insurance covers with no explanation, and we cannot access medical services in our hospital," Kiboi said.
Counties had decries lack of funds, slowing down counties activities. On Thursday, September 12, Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa called on the national treasury to speed up the process of fund disbursement to counties.
Barasa who is also the council of governors Finance Committee chairperson said the delay has crippled many activities in the counties, and difficulties in implementing crucial development projects in the counties.
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