By Ben Okweingoti
The Kilifi County Government has warned striking nurses that it will take legal action against them, terming the ongoing industrial action illegal.
The warning comes on the second day of the strike, which has seen a section of nurses boycott their work stations while demanding improved remuneration, better working conditions, and payment of salaries allegedly withheld for January and February 2021 when they previously participated in an industrial action.
The strike, called by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), has disrupted health services across Mombasa, Lamu, and Kilifi counties since Thursday when nurses downed their tools.
Kilifi County Government spokesperson Jonathan Mativo said the strike was unlawful, noting that the county had already taken steps to address some of the concerns raised by health workers. He said the County Public Service Board had promoted several health workers and was in the process of employing others on permanent and pensionable terms.
Mativo urged nurses who had defied the strike notice to continue providing services and report any form of intimidation or harassment from colleagues participating in the industrial action. He warned that the county would invoke legal and disciplinary measures against those disrupting services.
“We urge all striking nurses to return to work immediately while the county government remains open to constructive dialogue. We also warn against any disruption of services in our health facilities across the county,” he said.
He noted that over the past three years, the county government had promoted 1,312 health workers, including 530 nurses who were elevated to higher job groups. According to him, the remaining 114 nurses eligible for promotion are currently being processed, subject to the availability of budgetary funds.
Mativo further said nurses currently serving under locum arrangements were being considered for employment on permanent and pensionable terms.
On the demand for salary arrears for January and February 2021, he said the county government would not make the payments, citing a court ruling that barred compensation for the period when the nurses were on strike.
Meanwhile, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Peter Mwarogo warned that any nurse found inciting or attacking colleagues who continue to work would face arrest.
The strike has continued to strain health services in affected counties as authorities push for dialogue while insisting that the industrial action is unlawful.
