Nurses in Embu county have called off their strike. The move comes after a round table meeting with the county government and the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) – Embu Chapter officials. Making the announcement, Embu Governor Martin Wambora said both parties had reached a return to work formula; ”My Government will meet obligations herein signed by the National Government and County Government and abide by the Constitution of Kenya 2010. We shall engage in dialogue onwards with concerned parties to avert such obscene scenes in future.”
The unity pact witnessed will be a huge stride towards the achievement of universal health for all.They had joined the strike last week on Monday. ODM leader Raila Odinga had last week 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 pleaded with the nurses to report to duty on Monday adding that the union officials should adopt a reconciliatory approach to the issue. President Uhuru Kenyatta had also ordered protesting nurses to go back to work by latest Friday, February 15, 2019, at 8am, failure to which stern action will be taken against them. The president also directed the National Police Service (NPS) to henceforth arrest and lock up any nurse who would be found participating in the strike during working hours.
On the date stated by President Uhuru nurses became defiant, maintaining that the work boycott should continue until their demands are met. The Health ministry and the Council of Governors said President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive must be respected.