Kajiado County faces a looming health crisis as nurses prepare to go on strike starting Monday, January 13, 2025, citing unresolved grievances with the county government. The strike, spearheaded by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Kajiado Branch Secretary, Wilson Leala, is expected to disrupt healthcare services across the county.
Addressing the media on Saturday, January 11, Leala criticized the county government for its failure to act on issues highlighted in a strike notice issued two weeks ago. Among the grievances is the lack of permanent and pensionable positions for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) nurses, despite some holding leadership roles in dispensaries.
“They have not been fully absorbed, hence get very little remuneration,” Leala stated.
Additionally, Leala decried the county’s failure to procure a comprehensive medical cover for nurses, despite promises made in September last year. Many health workers remain uncovered, leaving them vulnerable in emergencies.
The acute shortage of nurses in dispensaries and the county referral hospital was another pressing issue. According to Leala, most dispensaries are run by a single nurse. When the nurse takes leave or attends training, the facility is forced to close, disrupting healthcare delivery.
Specialized nurses working in Intensive Care Units (ICU) and Renal Care have also not been re-designated to reflect their qualifications and roles, which the union contends is a violation of the Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), meant to enhance working conditions and pay, has yet to be implemented in Kajiado County.
Leala further revealed that many nurses who qualify for promotions have been overlooked, leading to frustrations and low morale.
Compounding the problem, the county government has delayed remitting statutory deductions, including the CPF, for nine months.
“We are notifying Kajiado residents that on Monday, there won’t be services in the hospitals until the county addresses our grievances,” Leala warned.
As the clock ticks toward Monday, the health sector braces for potential paralysis unless urgent interventions are made to resolve the nurses’ demands.
