Nurses in Elgeyo Marakwet County have gone on strike, joining their colleagues in Uasin Gishu who began a work boycott last week.
More than 400 nurses in Elgeyo Marakwet are asking the county administration to sign a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the 2025–2029 period.
According to KNUN County Secretary Benson Biwott, their concerns also include pending promotions, staff shortages, and the need to convert contract nurses to permanent and pensionable terms.
“We will not resume work until the county government meets all our demands because we have been patient for long,” Biwott said.
In Uasin Gishu, over 2,000 nurses are also on strike over CBA negotiations.
KNUN County Secretary Kimutai said many of the key details in the agreement had been discussed in January, with the final signing expected by March.
He said the union followed the required 21-day strike notice process and that talks with the county had not yielded an agreement.
The union says all 2,200 nurses working in 138 county health facilities will remain on strike until the CBA is signed.
Separately, the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) is in talks with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to avert a planned doctors’ strike.
KMPDU issued a strike notice on July 23, which expired on August 6.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah said the union is seeking full implementation of the Return-to-Work Formula signed on February 19, 2025, provision of comprehensive medical cover for doctors, payment of any pending salary arrears, and the conversion of contract doctors to permanent and pensionable terms.
“We have been taken in circles, negotiating and signing agreements that are later ignored. Enough is enough,” said Atellah.
KMPDU North Rift branch secretary Dr. Kamonzi Mulei said the outcome of ongoing conciliation meetings will determine whether doctors proceed with the industrial action.
“We will give details later, but we are still going forward with the conciliation meetings,” said Dr. Mulei.
Dr. Kirwa did not give details but confirmed that the negotiations were continuing.
“We are still discussing the outstanding issues with KMPDU,” said Dr. Kirwa.
MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Phillip Kirwa confirmed that negotiations were continuing.
BY MATHEWS NDANYI
