Health services in Murang’a County have been disrupted after nurses in the county joined the planned nationwide strike called by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) demanding the implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), delayed payment of long-standing arrears and for improved working conditions.
Speaking during a peaceful protest outside the county headquarters, KNUNM Murang’a Branch Secretary, Lucy Mburu, said the strike could have been avoided had negotiations on the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement been concluded and implemented.
“We are here to send a message to the Council of Governors (COG), of which our governor is a member, that they should move with urgency to conclude and implement our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA),” she asserted.
The nurses also demanded the implementation of career progression guidelines approved by the Public Service Commission, arguing that delays had slowed workers’ promotions and professional growth.
Murang’a nurses further demanded payment of salary arrears dating back to the 2017 nationwide nurses’ strike, saying although the funds had reportedly been released to counties, nurses in Murang’a were yet to receive their dues.
“When we returned from the 2017 strike, nurses in other counties were paid. Murang’a nurses have never received those arrears in full despite promises that they would be settled.” Lucy said.
Murang’a branch treasurer, Rose Kigathi, opposed the continued engagement of nurses under internship programmes, describing it as an unfair labour practice.
“Equal work deserves equal pay. Nursing graduates complete extensive practical training before graduation and are ready to work. They should be employed and paid as qualified nurses rather than being subjected to internship programmes,” she stated.
Answering the striking nurses, Murang’a County Secretary, Newton Mwangi acknowledged that the concerns raised were valid and assured them that the county government is committed to resolving them through dialogue.
“We will compile all the complaints, present them to the executive, review them together and communicate our resolutions through the union officials. I have listened to all the concerns raised and they are valid,” he stated.
Mwangi noted that while some issues could be addressed immediately, others would require more time due to administrative and financial processes.
He urged the nurses to allow dialogue, saying the county government was willing to work with union leaders to find a lasting solution.
“What we need now is to sit down together and agree on what can be implemented immediately and what can be addressed over time. The most important thing is the willingness to comply.” Newton explained.
However, the nurses said they would continue with the strike until the county government addressed their concerns.
By Purity Mugo and Ann Kendi
