ODM leader Raila Odinga has pleaded with striking nurses across the country to resume duty for the sake of suffering patients.
Speaking during a funeral ceremony in Samia sub county on Saturday, Raila said all parties in the dispute need to consider the option of an amicable solution for the ongoing strike.
“The county and national governments should sit down and find a lasting solution to enable the country to function smoothly,” he said, adding chest thumping is uncalled for.
He pleaded with the nurses to report to duty on Monday adding that the union officials should adopt a reconciliatory approach to the issue.
This comes after the President Uhuru Kenyatta demand for nurses to report back to work by Friday expired without positive results on the same.
Will the nurses heed to Raila’s call?
Meanwhile, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli faulted Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for ordering nurses to go back to work.
Atwoli argued that Oparanya should have consulted him on the workers’ issues instead of displaying ignorance on national television.
He argued that the Council of Governors signed Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with the nurses and they need to honour the same.
“If you realise that you do not have money and you owe someone, just go back to them and explain to the modalities of payment even if it means paying in instalments,” he said.
Atwoli further blamed Oparanya and Labour CS Ukur Yattani for misleading President Uhuru Kenyatta to believe that the nurses’ strike was illegal.
“They left Uhuru to read a speech on petty issues,” he said.
Atwoli said the President meant well for the country and should not be made to carry out tasks meant for shop stewards.
Early last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the nurses to resume duty by February 15, warning that those who failed to do so risked being sacked.