A day after the Kenya Union of Nurses (Knun) and Clinical
officers affirmed that they will be continuing with their strike until their grievances
are adhered to, the Council of Governors (CoG) has appealed that they put Kenya
first, especially during this difficult time of the pandemic.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, CoG human resource chair,
who is also Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis said the council is working on some
of the issued raised by the union, and thus they should reconsider going back
to work.
“We are dealing with promotion and confirmation for new
nurses and clinical officers at the moment. There is also annual increment deal that we
are implementing. So, we are appealing to them to be considerate,” said
Governor Kiptis.
CoG says that they have been considerate enough since the
2017 return to work agreement they agreed upon with the union, adding that the
amendment made for salary increment across various job groups should be
honoured by the union.
“They are coming at time we are through with our budget allocation
and with no resources. This therefore calls for their patients as we deal with
the matter at the conciliation table,” the governor said.
Kiptis added that the nurses and clinical officers demand is
huge, “which we cannot realize for now, but when resources are available, we
will make some increments.”
He called upon the union leaders to call off the strike and
let their members join their fellow in 13 counties, who have put their
differences aside to serve Kenyans.
“We appreciate all the nurses, doctors and clinical officers
who have gone back to work. This is a matter we should all consider that those
suffering in hospitals could your brother, your neighbour or your parent,” he
said.
CoG chairman, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya warned
that if they continue with strike, the council will be forced to take stun action.
“We appreciate their commitment especially at this difficult
time of the pandemic. They ought to have suspended the strike following conciliation
talks with the ministry of labour but if they continue defying the call, we take
stun action,” said Governor Oparanya.
Oparanya also said the union demands can only be met by the
council, should the Salaries and Renumeration Commission (SRC) approve the agreed
upon in December 2020.
The strike which has lasted for over a month, is instigated
by over dozen issues including demand for the release of all withheld salaries,
issuance of a comprehensive medical cover and group life insurance, enhancement
of risk allowance of Sh30,000, the employment of more nurses, payment of nurses’
medical bills and compensation of families of the departed nurses.
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