Nurses in Elgeyo Marakwet County have gone on strike, joining their
colleagues in Uasin Gishu who began a work boycott last week.
More than 400 nurses in Elgeyo Marakwet are
asking the county administration to sign a new Collective Bargaining Agreement
(CBA) for the 2025–2029 period.
According to KNUN County Secretary Benson Biwott, their concerns also include
pending promotions, staff shortages, and the need to convert contract nurses to
permanent and pensionable terms.
“We will not resume work until the county
government meets all our demands because we have been patient for long,” Biwott
said.
In Uasin Gishu, over 2,000 nurses are also on
strike over CBA negotiations.
KNUN County Secretary Kimutai said many of the key details in the agreement
had been discussed in January, with the final signing expected by March.
He said the union followed the required 21-day strike notice process and
that talks with the county had not yielded an agreement.
The union says all 2,200 nurses working in 138
county health facilities will remain on strike until the CBA is signed.
Separately, the Moi Teaching and Referral
Hospital (MTRH) is in talks with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists
and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to avert a planned doctors’ strike.
KMPDU issued a strike notice on July 23, which expired on August 6.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji
Atellah said the union is seeking full implementation of the Return-to-Work
Formula signed on February 19, 2025, provision of comprehensive medical cover
for doctors, payment of any pending salary arrears, and the conversion of
contract doctors to permanent and pensionable terms.
“We have been taken in circles, negotiating and signing agreements that are
later ignored. Enough is enough,” said Atellah.
KMPDU North Rift branch secretary Dr. Kamonzi Mulei said the outcome of
ongoing conciliation meetings will determine whether doctors proceed with the
industrial action.
“We will give details later, but we are still going forward with the
conciliation meetings,” said Dr. Mulei.
Dr. Kirwa did not give details but confirmed that the negotiations were
continuing.
“We are still discussing the outstanding issues with KMPDU,” said Dr. Kirwa.
MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Phillip Kirwa confirmed that negotiations were
continuing.
