Governor Wavinya Promises to Promote Select Nurses in Bid to End Strike

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has announced a series of measures aimed at ending the ongoing nurses’ strike.

In a statement on Wednesday, August 13, Ndeti indicated that the measures includes the promotion of all nurses with more than seven years of service.

"I have offered to immediately promote all nurses with over seven years of service, with the rest scheduled for promotion in FY 2026/2027," she said.

In an appealed to the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives, Ndeti asked them to acknowledge the progress made under her administration in improving healthcare workers’ welfare. 

"We urge union leaders to recognize the tremendous gains made in Machakos over the past two years regarding their welfare. We have dignity and values to uphold, and saving lives remains our foremost commitment," she stated.

Ndeti noted that her government has maintained a strong working relationship with the union’s local branch, adding that it has resulted in significant milestones.

"Over the years, my administration has maintained cordial relations with the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives local branch. Through constructive engagement, nurses in Machakos have achieved significant milestones," she further said.

According to Ndeti, in 2023, 132 of the 422 health worker promotions approved by her office went to nurses. 

In 2024, 57 nurses were recruited, and in 2025, the county employed and deployed 183 more nurses across its facilities. 

Ndeti added that between February and May this year, 231 nurses across all cadres were promoted, while the recruitment of an additional 42 nurses is currently underway.

"To the people of Machakos, I remain dedicated to dialogue and will continue engaging union leadership to reach an amicable solution through a phased approach in the shortest time possible," she concluded.