Nurses in Baringo County have called off their planned strike from Monday 20th January this year, after signing a return-to-work formula with the County Government.
Addressing the press outside the Governor’s office in Kabarnet town, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Baringo branch deputy chairperson Francis Koros said they sat with top county officials for three days and were able to come into agreement with all the contentious issues in their eight grievances.
Koros stated that the health officials have signed a return-to-work agreement and a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which will cover the period from 2021 until July 2025.
“We want to tell the general public that the strike that was supposed to commence on Monday next week has been suspended to allow for the execution of the agreements that we have agreed with the Baringo County government and the County Public Service Board,” he said.
The unionist thanked the county administration because of its goodwill to listen and act upon the demands from the medics.
Baringo County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Dr Solomon Sirma on his part pledged to fast-track the grievances raised by the nurses including their promotions and their employment terms.
He noted that all the issues raised were all genuine grievances which the county administration is able to solve progressively.
County assembly committee chair of health Josephat Lokorio lauded all the stakeholders for coming into agreement in the matter which he said could have affected members of the public seeking healthcare services in all the facilities across the county.
Lokorio assured them of the support of all Baringo members of county assembly (MCAs) in the implementation of the agreements they have signed in writing including addressing their insurance cover for them to also access enhanced health services and that of their relatives.
The Barwessa MCA at the same time stated that going forward they will be talking to each other to iron out a few challenges in the sector to prevent strikes.
By Benson Kelio
