Nurses in Homa Bay County have downed their tools in solidarity with colleagues across the country as they demand implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and improved welfare.
The nurses have vowed not to resume duty until the State honours agreements reached nearly nine years ago and improves their terms of service. They are also demanding to be transferred from county to national government payroll, citing disparities in salaries, promotions and allowances among health workers.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Homa Bay Branch Secretary Emmadick Otieno said the strike was necessary to compel the government to address their grievances.
“We are in full solidarity with nurses nationwide. The CBA of 2017 remains unimplemented and our members continue to suffer,” Otieno said.
He said nurses were still receiving allowances based on rates set before devolution, despite significant increases in the cost of living.
Homa Bay KNUN Branch Chairman Enock Ocharo accused both the county and national governments of failing to prioritise health workers despite their critical role in the provision of healthcare.
Ocharo said moving nurses to the national government payroll would help harmonise salaries, allowances and career progression across the country.
“For years we have been tossed between the county and national government. Our colleagues in other sectors were moved and harmonized, but nurses were left behind,” he said.
The union leaders are also demanding an upward review of risk, uniform and nursing service allowances, arguing that the current rates do not adequately reflect the risks nurses face while performing their duties.
Javan Adams, a nurse at Homa Bay Level 5 Hospital, said poor working conditions and inadequate remuneration were driving qualified nurses away from public hospitals to private facilities and overseas.
“We love our patients and we want to serve, but you cannot motivate a nurse with promises,” Adams said, adding that nurses work night shifts, handle emergencies and are exposed to infectious diseases in the course of their duties.
The strike has disrupted services in most public hospitals including Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital and several other sub-county facilities, with patients seeking routine services being turned away.
County health officials were not immediately available for comment. However, the Council of Governors has previously opposed proposals to transfer health workers back to the national government, arguing that such a move would undermine gains made under devolution.
The industrial action comes as the Ministry of Health and health unions prepare to resume negotiations next week. Nurses have vowed to continue with the strike until a return-to-work formula is agreed upon and implemented.
By Brenda Odindo and Sitna Omar
