No quick end to nurses strike as governors rule out CBA

Governors have said they cannot foot the Sh40.3 billion annual pay bill for nurses in yet another attempt to rally the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to their side in the protracted labour dispute.

In a letter to the SRC dated July 11, the council of governors (CoG) chief executive, Jacqueline Mogeni said the money is not available.

“As it is clear that the CoG had indicated to SRC in early June that county governments cannot afford the monies proposed in the draft CBA, kindly advice on the way forward to ensure that all parties to the impasse reach an amicable solution,” Ms Mogeni said.

“Having consulted with the county governments, it is apparent that they cannot afford the monies proposed for the nurses.”

The governors had earlier lobbied the SRC to oppose the high pay demand contained in the draft collective bargain agreement to no avail. Getting SRC on their side would render the draft CBA ineffective and unenforceable.

READ: Governors put nurses pay dispute SRCs feet

ALSO READ: Nurses oppose move to hold union fees

SRC chairperson, Sarah Serem said last month that they were waiting for CoG’s confirmation that they had the Sh40.3 billion demanded by nurses.

But it appears the striking health workers may have to stay longer without the additional pay.

“We know the impact of any additional pay to any public sector employees outside the framework of the SRC’s advice,” said Ms Serem.

Nurses make up the largest health workforce — more than 50 per cent — in the country.

There are slightly more than 54,000 nurses in practice with 45,000 being members of the Kenya National Union of Nurses.