The issue of nurses’ strike should not be politicised, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions has said.
Addressing the media on Thursday, the union called on governors to stop dragging President Uhuru Kenyatta’s name into the matter.
Cotu board member Wafula Wamusamia said governors have no choice but to pay the nurses as it was an agreement they signed in 2017.
He defended the move by Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako urging nurses not to go back to work until their issues are solved.
“Don’t shift the blame on Panyako. Lets address the issue at hand. If they agreed to pay why change now? We don’t want politics in it. let it remain an issue between workers and employers,” Wamusamia said.
The Cotu official accused governors of misappropriating the money meant to pay nurses.
“They have misused the money and are now seeking refuge from the President. Governors including Mike Sonko have said they have money to pay their nurses. Where are those who have been paid gotten the money? Are we in different countries? Why can’t the rest of the governors do the same?” he asked.
The statement comes barely a day after Uhuru dismissed the nurses’ demands, saying there is no money.
Uhuru on Wednesday appeared to have closed all avenues for dialogue with the striking nurses after he ruled out raising “the bloated and unsustainable” public wage bill further.
AU special envoy Raila Odinga at the same function called for dialogue to end the nurses strike.