The County Government of Machakos has moved to set the record straight regarding the ongoing nurses’ strike, emphasizing that the industrial action is part of a nationwide crisis rather than a county-specific issue.
Speaking during a press briefing at Machakos Level 5 Hospital, County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr. Muya Ndambuki dismissed claims of a total collapse of health services, noting that only some wards have been affected.
The ongoing nationwide nurses strike continues to affect service delivery in several counties. While acknowledging a breakdown in some inpatient services, Machakos County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Dr. Muya Ndambuki, said the situation was being managed.
The strike was triggered by among other issues poor working conditions and recruitment issues but he says the county has overtime taken steps to address the nurses grievances with 422 health workers promoted out which 132 were nurses.
He urged the national government to fully devolve health functions and challenged leaders to contribute to resolving the crisis rather than escalating tensions. Meanwhile, in Migori County, nurses have accused the county government of intimidation following their decision to join the nationwide strike.
Kenya National Union of Nurses County Secretary, Ezekiel Mbire, claimed the county executive had failed to honour the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) despite multiple meetings.
