Nurses Call off Strike
Nurses have called off a 43-day strike after signing a Return to Work Formula deal with the County Governments.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, September 9, Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi revealed the decision followed a meeting between the COG and the Kenya National Union of Nurses.
He attributed the stalemate to the non-implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), citing that the Return to Work Formula would address the nurses' challenges.
"We know nurses have been on strike for 43 days. It was because of the non-implementation of the 2017 CBA. We now have a RTWF," he stated.
Among the issues raised by the nurses were the failure to conclude the CBA, failure to be added to the Universal Health Coverage payroll with permanent and pensionable benefits and refusal by Kisii County to reinstate nurses who were relieved of their duties.
Moving forward, COG chair Abdullahi revealed that the UHC staff would be employed on permanent and pensionable terms as per the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) rates from July 1, 2026.
He added that the County Governments only agreed to absorb the UHC staff if the gratuity in their contracts were removed, meaning that the employees' total compensation would be reduced to regular salaries and benefits.
"CoG will coordinate a model of career guidelines to be adopted within 45 days. Not later than 25 hours upon execution of the Return to Work Formula," he added.
On his part, CoG Health Committee chair Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir welcomed the deal, citing that millions of Kenyans bear the brunt of such strikes.
"When a strike occurs, those affected are not the ones involved in the strike but millions of Kenyans. The issues were signed in 2017. We are trying to look at today's status and see what is applicable," he remarked.
KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako added that the union should resolve future issues without the need to down their tools to ensure the health sector is not affected.
"Going on strike is not what everyone wants. Going forward, we should resolve issues without going on strike especially the health sector," Panyako noted.
The strike had paralysed healthcare services as nurses camped at the Council of Governors' offices demanding better allowances.
On Tuesday, COG chair Abdullahi announced that the County Governments made an offer to the nurses' union.
"Through the efforts of our health committee, I can report that we finally have a deal if they do not change their mind until the deal is signed. We offered them an increase in their risk allowance to Ksh.8,000 and we also offered them an increase of Ksh.5,000 in uniform allowance," Abdullahi stated.