Editor's Review

Kenyan Nurses have called off their nationwide strike after 43 days, following progressive discussions with the Council of Governors.

Kenyan Nurses have called off their nationwide strike after 43 days, following progressive discussions with the Council of Governors

Speaking on Wednesday, September 9, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) Secretary-General Seth Panyako officially announced that the strike had been called off.

The Union had reached agreements with the Council on several key issues raised by the nurses, including the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) within 45 days.

“We have finally called off the 43-day strike following a breakthrough in negotiations with the Council of Governors.

"We therefore call upon all our members to resume duty within the next 25 hours as we give room for the implementation of the agreements reached,” Panyako stated.

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Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) Secretary-General Seth Panyako.

The CoG Chairperson, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, disclosed that following the fruitful discussions, the risk allowance for nurses will be increased from Ksh3,850 to Ksh8,000. Nurses will also receive a Ksh5,000 uniform allowance.

"Through the efforts of our health committee, I can report that we finally have a deal, provided they do not change their mind until the deal is signed. We offered them an increase in their risk allowance to Ksh8,000, and we also offered them an increase of Ksh5,000 in uniform allowance," Abdullahi announced during a meeting at State House.

Additionally, the Union announced that the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff will be absorbed into the county governments' workforce.

The SG announcement came a day after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) threatened to go on strike if the nurses' go-slow was not addressed.

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said the prolonged nurses' strike, which entered its 41st day, has left doctors overwhelmed.

He stated that most doctors have been forced to take up roles traditionally performed by nurses, while administering healthcare services to patients.

Atellah added that the nurses' strike has limited access to nursing care in the majority of hospitals, which has led to some deaths in some cases.