Kenya Nurses Won’t Join Doctors On Strike, Prefers Dialogue » Capital News

NAIROBI, KENYA, MARCH 29 – The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has affirmed its commitment to resolving disputes with the government through dialogue instead of resorting to strikes like doctors.

In a statement, KNUN General Secretary Seth Panyako emphasized the union’s willingness to engage in alternative dispute resolution methods with the Ministry of Health to address issues affecting nurses nationwide, believing this approach will yield better outcomes.

This stance comes in response to some nurse interns who, described by the union as “under incitement,” have been using social media to criticize the union for not participating in the ongoing doctors’ strike.

“We appreciate the maturity displayed by this group of prospective members,” Panyako remarked, amid accusations from striking doctors that he is siding with the government.

The doctors are on strike, citing the government’s failure to assign intern doctors higher wages.

“As a union, we have consistently embraced alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that have proven effective in the past. For this reason, we have chosen to employ the same approach with the Ministry of Health,” he added.

Panyako announced that the union has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health to commence the posting of nurse interns starting April 1st, 2024.

Addressing concerns over the reduction of interns’ pay from job group K to stipend pay, as outlined in the SRC circular, Panyako hinted at the possibility of withdrawing the lawsuit challenging this decision due to disrespectful behavior from some interns towards the union.

“While we are contesting the reduction of interns’ pay in court, given the disrespectful conduct of some interns, we may consider withdrawing the lawsuit,” he explained.

=KNUN revealed that they have finalized a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Ministry of Health, awaiting formal signing.

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