Kenyans could be headed for a hectic February after the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), on Wednesday, issued a strike notice.
The nurses indicated that they would down their tools from February 4, over an unmet Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) entered into with the government on November 2, 2017.
In his statement, the union Secretary General Seth Panyako revealed that only three counties; Machakos, Migori and Mombasa had kept their end of the deal.
Consequently, nurses within the three counties have been instructed not to take part in the strike.
He claimed that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has been hampering their demands, despite Treasury having already disbursed the funds.
Panyako went on to decree that they would push for the disbandment of the SRC.
“Tunataka SRC iondolewe kwa katiba kwa sababu haina maana yoyote (We want the SRC to be disbanded as it has no value),” he argued.
He accused the commission of enjoying lofty payments at the expense of ordinary citizens.
The union revealed that counties which had blatantly overlooked the CBA would be the ones affected by the strike.
These counties are; Kwale, Kirinyaga, Marsabit, Mandera, Embu, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Garissa, Nyeri, Samburu, Elegeyo-Marakwet, Trans-Nzoia, Tharaka nithi, West Pokot, Mathare National Hospital, Wajir, Homa bay, Murang’a, Taita-taveta, Kisumu, Kisii, Nairobi and Kitui.
However, those that had pledged to make payments by the end of January and February 2019 were assured that nurses would report to work.
Panyako warned the counties which would be spared that defaulting on their pledges would result in a strike on March 4, 2019.
These counties are; Bomet, Baringo, Bungoma, Busia, Isiolo, Kakamega, Kericho, Kilifi, Lamu, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Siaya, Makueni, Turkana, Nyamira and Uasin gishu.
The nurses have been demanding an annual increase of Ksh 5,000 on the uniform allowance, Ksh 3,000 on nursing allowance in the first year and Ksh 3,500 in the two subsequent years as per the CBA agreed.