10 counties have their health services paralyzed as the nationwide nurses strike continues across the country. Kirinyaga, West Pokot, Marsabit, Wajir, Homabay, Kisumu, Kisii, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Taita Taveta have all issued a statement from their Council of Governors that indicates that the strike is alive and kicking in their quarters.
Counties that have been served by notice but are not in strike are Nairobi, Meru, Kitui, Tharaka-Nithi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Baringo and Kiambu.
Union officials in the affected counties have remained adamant insisting that they will not return to work until they are paid their nurses service allowances in full.
As stated in the return-to-work formula that was signed last July, nurses’ uniform allowance was to be enhanced by Sh5,000 annually, while service allowance was to be enhanced by Sh3,000 monthly.
Nurses who are under the National Government also joined in the strike affecting services at Mathari Hospital, Spinal Injury, Blood Bank and Airport Services in Nairobi, also demanding for their unpaid allowances.
According to Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako, Machakos, Vihiga, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale and Migori are the only counties that have paid nurses their allowances.