Nurses’ strike turns ugly as headcount starts, salaries suspended

A headcount of health workers in counties where nurses are on strike has kicked off, with some receiving show cause letters.

According to a February 18 letter by the Council of Governors, 250 of the 296 striking nurses in Garissa have received the letters.

Nurses defied a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta to report to work by Friday morning.

Mr Kenyatta directed the Health Ministry and devolved governments to dismiss nurses who defy order.

Nurses in Taita-Taveta, Embu and Homa Bay counties have also received letters.

In Samburu, the letters were issued followed by a salary stoppage notice. Only 10 nurses out of the 228 striking ones reported to duty.

Out of the 353 striking nurses in West Pokot County, only 88 who went to work on Friday will get their February pay.

Only four nurses have gone back to work, out of the 366 on strike in Taita-Taveta County.

The situation is different in Elgeyo-Marakwet as all nurses are back to work.

In Trans Nzoia, only nine are back to work. Just three out of 160 reported to the referral hospital in Kitale. Rural hospitals have no nurses.

In Kisumu, 137 nurses are back to work while 686 still on strike. Four nurses reported to work yesterday.

In Embu, only 130 nurses have reported to work. They have since called off the strike “to give negotiations a chance”.

At Pumwani Hospital, Nairobi all 97 nurses belonging to the Kenya National Union of Nurses have reported to work while 45 who are affiliated to the County Workers Union are still on strike.

So far, nurses in 19 counties are on strike. The strike began on Monday in Kakamega, Nakuru, Tana River, Narok, Bomet, Busia and Siaya.

The nurses strike in Uasin Gishu County is expected to start on Tuesday.

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