The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has declared that it will not be participating in the mass demonstration organized by doctors to protest against the delayed posting of intern nurses, among other grievances. Nonetheless, KNUN’s national chairman, Joseph Ngwasi, has urged the government to resolve the ongoing strikes by doctors and clinical officers promptly.
Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Ngwasi stated that the union’s National Executive Council has decided to continue engaging in talks with the government regarding the welfare of its members. “Our members are not planning to go on strike. We have agreed as a union to pursue alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” he emphasized.
Ngwasi emphasized that the ongoing strikes by doctors and clinical officers have created gaps in healthcare services. He highlighted that nurses cannot fully substitute for doctors, as they operate within the confines of their job descriptions.
KNUN’s General Secretary, Seth Panyako, acknowledged the doctors’ right to strike and emphasized that it was the responsibility of the government to address their grievances. “We cannot deem the doctors’ strike as illegal. They have a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the government, unlike us,” Panyako clarified.
Panyako further noted that dispensaries remain operational amid the strikes due to nurses overseeing them. “Dispensaries are the only facilities experiencing minimal disruptions because nurses are managing them. They fulfill various roles, acting as nurses, doctors, clinical officers, and even security personnel,” he remarked.
Ngwasi reiterated that striking is not currently deemed appropriate for nurses, considering the progress made through ongoing engagements with the government to address pressing issues. “Significant progress has been made at both levels of government towards finalizing the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the union, and we are scheduling a meeting next week for a resolution,” he added.
He urged pre-nurse interns to remain patient as the union addresses concerns regarding their posting and remuneration to align with the Scheme of Service. “If necessary, we will pursue legal measures regarding a circular that reduced intern pay from job group K to a lower stipend,” Ngwasi affirmed.
Additionally, Ngwasi stated that through negotiations with the government, it has been agreed to hire more nurses and other healthcare workers to address staffing shortages.
