Nandi health workers have officially ended their four-day strike after successfully negotiating a return-to-work agreement with the county government. This strike, which severely disrupted healthcare services throughout the region, was driven by a combination of grievances from health workers, including delayed salaries, lack of medical cover, the non-remittance of statutory deductions, poor working conditions, and the dismissal of several staff members. The resolution has brought much-needed relief to the residents of Nandi County, who had gone days without access to essential public health services.
The strike, which began after health workers expressed their frustration over unresolved issues, saw the closure of all public health facilities and dispensaries across the county. However, after a series of meetings and negotiations led by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, a breakthrough was reached, paving the way for the health workers to return to their duties. The meetings were attended by representatives from various health workers’ unions, including the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, Kenya National Union of Nurses, Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers, Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists, Kenya National Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians, and the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union.
Understanding the Grievances
The health workers’ grievances were numerous and stemmed from both operational and structural issues within the county health system. Chief among their complaints was the delayed payment of salaries, which left many workers struggling to meet their financial obligations. Additionally, health workers were dissatisfied with the lack of medical cover, which is vital for those serving on the frontlines of healthcare.
Non-remittance of statutory deductions, such as pension contributions and insurance premiums, was another major issue. This failure by the county government jeopardized the long-term financial security of the workers. Alongside these financial issues, poor working conditions were a key concern, with many health facilities reportedly lacking the basic resources needed to provide quality healthcare.
The situation was further exacerbated by the dismissal of several health workers following a recent human resource audit. The audit revealed irregularities in the employment status of some workers, leading to the termination of their contracts. This move, though necessary to address employment anomalies, left the county with a critical shortage of healthcare staff, worsening the already strained conditions in Nandi’s public health facilities.
The Breakthrough Agreement
The successful resolution of the strike was the result of multiple meetings between Governor Stephen Sang and union representatives. Governor Sang acknowledged the difficult circumstances under which the county is operating and expressed his administration’s commitment to addressing the workers’ grievances.
A key outcome of the negotiations was the commitment to fast-track the recruitment of health workers whose contracts had been terminated due to irregularities uncovered during the human resource audit. Governor Sang reassured the workers that efforts were underway to resolve the issue within a month.
“We have agreed that certain cadres were not included in the previous advertisement for health positions, but a second advert will be released on Tuesday, followed by a third one on Friday. We are fast-tracking the recruitment process to ensure that all staff affected by the revocation of employment letters are reinstated as soon as possible,” said Governor Sang. He emphasized that the county government is determined to eliminate the artificial shortage of health workers and ensure that every cadre deserving to work for the county is recruited.
Commitment to Improving the Health Sector
Governor Sang reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the county’s health sector, stating that since taking office, his team has made it a priority to strengthen healthcare services. This includes promoting several staff members and recruiting additional personnel to enhance service delivery in Nandi’s health facilities.
Sang expressed gratitude for the cooperation shown by union officials during the negotiations, highlighting the goodwill demonstrated by the unions in calling off the strike. He assured them that his administration was fully committed to resolving the issues raised by the workers as swiftly as possible.
“This matter is urgent, and we are fully committed to concluding the process within the shortest time possible. We urge those who were affected by the legal process to apply for the advertised positions,” Governor Sang said.
In his speech at the Eliud Kipchoge Stadium, where the agreement was announced, the governor also highlighted the need for continuous dialogue between the county government and the unions to prevent future disruptions in healthcare services. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the human resource audit but emphasized that these were necessary steps to ensure fairness and accountability in the employment of county staff.
Union Response and the Return to Work
Following the successful negotiations, union officials called on all health workers to return to their duties within 24 hours and resume their work with passion and diligence. Nicodemus Chumba, the Chairperson of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Nandi branch, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, noting that all grievances had been addressed.
“Let us return to our duty posts immediately because all our grievances have been addressed by the county government,” Chumba said. He further urged the workers to maintain high levels of professionalism and dedication as they resumed their duties.
The return to work was welcomed by the residents of Nandi County, who had endured four days without access to public healthcare services. During the strike, patients were forced to seek treatment in private hospitals, which proved costly for many, or to forego medical attention altogether.
The Road Ahead
With the recruitment process now underway, the county government is optimistic that normalcy will soon return to Nandi’s public health sector. Governor Sang assured residents that the county government is working to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for all, with a focus on addressing the shortage of healthcare workers caused by the recent legal challenges.
The governor also emphasized that his administration is focused on long-term solutions to strengthen the county’s health sector. This includes improving working conditions, ensuring timely payment of salaries, and providing adequate medical cover for all health workers.
As Nandi County moves forward, the health workers’ strike serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining open communication and addressing the needs of those working in the health sector. The cooperation between the county government and the unions, which led to the resolution of the strike, has set a positive precedent for future engagements.
Conclusion
The agreement between Nandi County health workers and the county government marks the end of a challenging period for the region’s public healthcare system. With the strike now called off and recruitment efforts underway, there is hope that the county will soon restore its health services to full capacity.
The leadership of Governor Stephen Sang and the willingness of union officials to engage in meaningful dialogue were key factors in achieving this resolution. Moving forward, it is crucial for both the county government and health workers to continue working together to ensure that the health sector remains stable, efficient, and capable of providing quality services to the people of Nandi County. The successful resolution of this strike is a significant step toward achieving these goals.
