Budget Controller asks counties to recover allowances paid to nurses

The Controller of Budget has instructed Migori, Machakos, Mombasa and Kwale Counties to recover all the service and uniform allowances already paid to nurses.

In a letter to Mombasa County, the Controller of Budget said that they are not required to approve any withdrawal from public funds unless satisfied that the withdrawal is authorised by law.

It further explains that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has not reviewed the benefits of the nurses and that the counties are doing so contrary to the law.

“The office is aware that Mombasa County government is paying enhanced allowances to nurses contrary to those approved by SRC.

"Payment of allowances without SRC’s advise us contrary to the law. Therefore, the purpose of this letter is to request that you do not pay any enhanced allowances to the nurses until approval is granted by SRC,” reads the memo.

Blacklisted

This comes barely hours after a joint statement by the Ministry of Health and Council of Governors directed that the nurses who will be let go will not be hired in any public health facilities.

“It is hereby reiterated that the defiant nurses at both levels of government will face disciplinary action in accordance with existing government regulations.

"In addition, mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that dismissed officers are not re-hired at any level of government,” reads the statement in part.

Knun is demanding that each nurse be paid Sh5,000 annual uniform allowance and an increase in their risk perks by Sh3,000 to Sh23,000.

The union has accused the government of reneging on a last November deal that helped end a five-month strike.