Laikipia County Nurses took to the streets of Nyahururu town yesterday to protest a worsening labor dispute with the Laikipia County Government, accusing the administration of systemic neglect and blatant violations of multiple return-to-work agreements.
Marching in a sea of white, navy blue and green, the healthcare workers presented a damning ten-point list of grievances, warning that the county’s medical services are on the brink of total collapse.
At the center of their concerns is a stalled recruitment process that has dragged on for ten months, leaving health facilities critically understaffed. In some alarming cases, a single nurse is reportedly forced to run an entire health center alone.
The staffing crisis is further compounded by what the union describes as “unlawful contractual engagements,” where more than 20 long-serving contract nurses were excluded from recent regularization efforts. These workers remain in professional limbo, even as the county continues to depend on their services without offering permanent and pensionable terms.
The protest also exposed serious financial and administrative failures that have directly affected frontline workers’ livelihoods and morale. Nurses accused the county of failing to remit third party deductions including statutory contributions and loan repayments despite these amounts being reflected as deducted on their pay slips, calling the practice both unethical and unlawful.
In addition, the protesters are demanding immediate payment of salary arrears dating back to July 2024, as well as the implementation of a 17-tier grading structure as directed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Beyond financial grievances, the nurses described a challenging working environment marked by shortages of essential medical supplies and the denial of comprehensive medical cover for healthcare workers themselves.
With stalled promotions, denied study leave, and the collapse of the May 2025 return-to-work agreement, the nurses have vowed to continue their industrial action until the County Public Service Board provides a clear, time-bound plan to address all their concerns.
by Antony Mwangi
