Machakos Nurses Threaten Strike Over Unresolved Grievances Amid Healthcare Crisis

By Martin Masai

Machakos, December 23, 2024

Nurses in Machakos County today issued a 21-day strike notice citing unresolved grievances, a move that will plunge the county’s healthcare system into further crisis.

The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) accused the county government of neglecting critical issues affecting healthcare workers, ranging from unfulfilled promises of promotions to delays in statutory remittances
The union expressed frustration over allegedly failed attempts to resolve these issues through dialogue. In a letter by KNUN General Secretary Seth Panyako, the union listed grievances that include the refusal to engage in collective bargaining, delayed promotions, failure to re-designate specialized nurses, and the lack of comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Other issues highlighted were the delayed implementation of the new Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) salary structure, inadequate staffing leading to burnout, and the failure to transition Universal Health Coverage (UHC) nurses to permanent terms. The union also raised concerns about the non-implementation of a nationally registered Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and a 17-gear grading structure, which has stalled career progression.

The notice is addressed to Health Cabinet Secretary, the Secretary to the Public Service Commission, Chairman of the Machakos Public Service Board Urbanus Mutisya, the Machakos County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki and copied to CS for Labour.
The union warned that if these demands are not addressed by January 13, 2025, nurses will go on strike. Nurses say the strike would involve withholding services in critical units such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), Newborn Unit (NBU), Labour Wards, Accident and Emergency, and Dialysis. However, nurses have committed to ensuring the continuity of care for patients already admitted.
This looming nurses’ strike comes shortly after Machakos doctors ended a gruelling 60-day industrial action over similar grievances, including delayed promotions and lack of medical insurance. The doctors’ strike exposed severe lapses in the county’s management of healthcare personnel, and the nurses’ strike threat now raises further questions about the county’s ability to address systemic issues in its healthcare system.

The healthcare sector in Machakos has been on the brink of collapse, with patients bearing the brunt of prolonged disputes between healthcare workers and the county government. “The county leadership has consistently failed to address our concerns, leaving healthcare workers overburdened and demoralized,” said a union representative.

The Machakos County health Minister Justus Kasivu told The Anchor that many of the issues raised in the letter had been addressed while others were still in process. Mr. Kasivu said the county had recruitment 322 new health staff who are now reporting while others will report in January.

“We are holding meetings with Labour and County Union officials, so it is not true that we are not engaging,” he added. Mr.Kasivu said there are no budgets to facilitate promotions until July 2025 and appealed to nurses to be fair to patients as they exercise their rights.
The union emphasized its willingness to engage in dialogue, urging the county government to act swiftly to avoid the impending strike. Healthcare experts warn that continued unrest among healthcare workers could compromise the delivery of essential services and put lives at risk.
As the January 13 deadline looms, all eyes are on the county government to resolve the grievances and restore stability to the healthcare sector.