Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti has directed the County Public Service Board (CPSB) to advertise and recruit 500 nurses to boost health services.
This comes after the executive and the Nurses Union failed to find common ground resulting in the ongoing two weeks’ strike that has paralysed health services in hospitals around the county.
Wavinya said that the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) walked out of a meeting with the executives when they failed to agree on one item out of their seven demands pushing her administration to hire more nurses.
The Governor spoke during a press briefing at her office where she declared that even though they are to hire more nurses, her government is still open for constructive engagement and dialogue with the union leaders.
She added that they are open to crafting a workable return-to-work formula and ending the strike crisis as she urged the healthcare workers to consider the suffering of the patients.
“I call upon the nurses and midwives to put the interests of Machakos people first and give a further chance to dialogue in order to stop the suffering of patients.
To ensure hospital operations are ongoing and there is quality health for Machakos residents, Wavinya revealed that she has instructed hospitals to engage nurses on locum to meet patients’ needs while maintaining consistency in quality healthcare.
Furthermore, Wavinya disclosed an ongoing fraudulent activity on KNUNM membership, where some staff were gaining membership through M-Pesa transactions directly to unknown numbers urging the CPSB to revoke union payments.
“I hereby direct the CSPB to cease any Union deductions to the KNUNM from the payroll,” declared Wavinya.
She also highlighted major gaps in devolution especially in the health sector where she called upon Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu to focus her efforts on ensuring funds are fully aligned with devolved functions to help in solving recurring challenges in the health sector.
“I further wish to call upon Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu to push for legislation that would automatically reimburse hospitals SHA funds to avert cash challenges in hospitals,” said the Governor.
By Anne Kangero
