Fresh headache for Governor Arati as nurses in Kisii begin strike
Kisii Governor Simba Arati talking on phone in a function. Photo/Charles Magati
Nurses in Kisii late Wednesday vowed a walk out from their workstations, citing unmet agreements with Governor Simba Arati's administration.
The strike starts Wednesday midnight and is set to affect about 150 health facilities spread across the devolved unit.
Chairperson of Kenya Nurses Union - Kisii Branch Eric Rioba, dismissed talk in a section of the local media that they had called off the strike.
"Ignore the cheap propaganda which I'm seeing being spread by that the strike has been called off. I am surprised that some media outlets are spreading lies," Mr Rioba told AVDelta News via a phone.
According to strike notice, overtures with Mr Arati had proved futile.
They especially fault Mr Arati for, inter alia, failing to implement the conciliatory report dated April 2021.
This involves recalling and redeploying about 70 nurses sacked by former Governor James Ongwae during the height of an industrial strike.
The nurses through union officials further accused Mr Arati of failing to designate nurses to their rightful positions.
About 80 nurses are waiting redesignation.
They also faulted the county boss for delayed promotion of qualified nurses in the common cadre establishment, perennial salary delays, and failure by Mr Arati to employ more nurses.
Mr Rioba said they would only return if the issues are tackled.
"If not addressed, the strike stands," he said.
