Kakamega County will not be affected by the planned nationwide nurses and midwives strike, which was scheduled to begin today, after the union suspended the action following an agreement with their employer to address their grievances within 28 days.
Health officials have urged their members not to participate in the planned nationwide strike, which was announced on December 18, 2024, by the national office led by union secretary-general Seth Panyako.
Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Kakamega Branch Secretary Eliud Molenje revealed the union had held talks with the county executives and subsequently with the nurses. "We call upon our members not to take part in the nationwide strike on Monday and instead continue serving the people of Kakamega and all our clients while the matter is being addressed," said Molenje.
He added, "We agreed that the withheld salaries for December 2020 and January 2021, following industrial action, will be paid in full by January 31, 2024." Molenje made the remarks during a press conference at the Kakamega County General Hospital, where he was accompanied by county executives representing Governor Fernandes Barasa, including County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr Lawrence Omuhaka, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Peninah Mukabane, and Chief Officer for Health Services Dr David Alilah. "Having informed our members about this new development, we, the Kakamega County branch officials, urge nurses not to take part in the nationwide strike on Monday and to continue serving the people," he said.
