Relief to patients as Elgeyo Marakwet nurses call off strike

The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) in Elgeyo Marakwet have finally called off an industrial strike that had affected health services provision in the county.

This follows intensive consultative meetings between the nurses’ representatives and staff from the county administration.

KNUNM local branch Secretary General Benson Biwott said the union had ceded ground following an agreement between the nurses and the county government.

"We have signed a return to work agreement 2025-2029 where our terms of service will be improved. The strike has now been called off. We call on our members to resume work. We will be issuing more comprehensive information in due course,” said Mr Biwott.

On his part, County Executive in charge Public Service Edwin Seroney commended the union for calling off the strike.

“We have held successful consultations that have borne fruits. We have signed a return to work formula with the nurses. Everything else will be done in line with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) regulations,” said Seroney.

Others present included Chief of Staff Nathan Tanui, County Executive in charge of Finance and Economic Planning Alphaeus Tanui, Health Chief Officer Jeremy Chirchir among other senior county staff.

Among other grievances, the nurses were demanding that the County Public Service Board (CPSB) should confirm all nurses who are on contract to permanent and pensionable terms.

“Nurses, especially those in internship and those employed as casuals at Iten County Referral Hospital (ICRH) are going through very tough times. We feel for them because they are professionals who have gone to school,” said Biwott while announcing the commencement of the strike early this week.

The union had also complained that the County Government had failed to follow nursing guidelines which provide for the employment of Director of Nursing Services.

“To date, they have not advertised for the position or set up that office. We will not agree on empty promises and we will not take anything short of what we are demanding,” said Biwott.The union is also demanding that the national government through the Ministry of Health must issue employment letters to all Universal Health Coverage (UHC) nurses immediately.

According to Biwott, the county is grappling with an acute shortage of nurses noting that some have left the service but have not been replace“Five more specialized nurses should be employed to cope with shortage and all nurses should be recognized as specialists and promoted,” demanded the nurses.