Economy

Nurses now blame SRC, governors for strike

OPETU

Kenya National Union of Nurses deputy secretary-general Maurice Opetu. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NMG

The Kenya National Union of Nurses has accused the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) of blocking the implementation of an agreement with nurses resulting in a strike.

The union Wednesday told the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee that the CoG is advising counties against increasing allowances for nurses despite it being factored in their budgets.

Attempts by counties to access the funds through IFMIS were rejected with the system saying it had not received a “no objection” opinion from the SRC.

A “no objection” opinion means the SRC has cleared the transaction to proceed.

“We have reason to believe that the CoG and the SRC are conspiring to delay paying nurses what is due to them,” said Maurice Opetu the union’s deputy secretary-general.

He said the CoG was of the opinion that if it pays nurses uniform allowances, other cadres of workers in the counties will demand similar allocations.

In November 2017, the nurses ended a five-month strike following the signing of an agreement with CoG touching on their uniforms and risk allowance.

Nurses in 10 counties have boycotted work following failure to implement the return-to-work formula agreed upon in 2017.

Nurses in Homa Bay, Marsabit and Nyeri Wednesday joined their counterparts in West Pokot, Kisumu, Kisii, Elgeyo Marakwet, Taita Taveta, Trans Nzoia and Wajir who commenced their strike on Monday.

The strike was suspended in Mandera, Vihiga, Tharaka Nithi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kitui and Kiambu after the counties committed in writing that they would implement the deal.

Nurses in Garissa, Samburu, Kirinyaga and Embu are set to join the strike on February 11 upon lapse of a 21-day notice to their county governments.