President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered striking nurses across the country to immediately call off their strike and return to work.
In his address to the nation on Wednesday morning, the head of State said the health workers have until 8am on Friday, February 15 to do so.
“As the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, I have instructed National Police Service to take stern action on picketers who may intimidate public servants who intend to go to work,” he warned.
The President further ordered the county government and Health Ministry to dismiss any nurse who fails to report to work.
According to him, the respective county governments will be at liberty to take action as they deem appropriate as directed by the Employment and Labour Relations laws.
“We have a clear development agenda and as an investment destination, we cannot allow unlawful industrial action to derail us from our focus,” he added.
Health services in several counties have been disrupted since February 4, 2019 when the nurses downed their tools.
Despite a court order the next day that termed the strike as illegal, the Kenya National Union of Nurses remained adamant that they would not resume their duties.
Labour CS Ukur Yatani had urged the union to call off the strike but his plea fell on deaf ears as nurses sponsored by the national government stayed away from stations for the ninth day.
Nurses stationed at airports as well those from Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital and the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service also joined the strike on Monday.
The health workers have been demanding allowances and promotions.
