Uasin Gishu Nurses and Midwives Strike to Continue, No Negotiations with County Government

  By Wasike ElvisThe strike by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUN) in Uasin Gishu County will continue, with no resolution in sight after 11 days of industrial action. According to KNUN Secretary-General Seth Panyako, the union is adamant that the strike will not be called off until the county government addresses the outstanding issues in the healthcare sector.Panyako expressed frustration over the Uasin Gishu County government’s apparent lack of urgency in resolving the matter, particularly given that the county is the home of President William Ruto. He described the government’s actions as “shocking” and “irresponsible,” stating that it was “shameful” that officials in charge of the county’s health services appeared to be indifferent to the welfare of the people they serve.The union has been calling for a meeting with the county government, but despite submitting two letters to the County Secretary, no negotiation has taken place. Instead, the county government has delayed the process, with a response that the next meeting will be held on January 7th. Panyako revealed that when the Ministry of Labour intervened, the county sent a junior officer who claimed to have no mandate to engage in any discussions, further delaying any potential resolution.“We are raising issues that we have been trying to solve for a long time without any outcome,” Panyako said. “There will be no turning back. We will not end this strike until these issues are resolved 100 percent.”He further warned that if the strike persists beyond January 15th, the union will escalate its actions to include Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, a major healthcare facility in the region. Panyako emphasized that the county government’s leadership seems to be neglecting the welfare of other health facilities as long as Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital remains operational.“We cannot continue to allow the irresponsible leadership in Uasin Gishu. They must ensure that the health sector is functioning efficiently and is available to the people of Uasin Gishu,” he added.Klein Kimutai, the Secretary of the Uasin Gishu Chapter of KNUN, also gave an update on the situation. Kimutai confirmed that despite the ongoing strike, no formal negotiations have been offered by the county government. He expressed disappointment that the county government has only sent letters of regret and a promise to communicate again on January 7th.The strike has left many residents of Uasin Gishu County struggling with limited access to essential healthcare services. The union is urging President William Ruto to intervene and address the ongoing crisis, calling on him to prioritize the well-being of the people in his home county.As the standoff continues, Uasin Gishu residents are left wondering when the county government will take meaningful action to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy in the health sector.  Read More