Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has said it will not be joining doctors in their mass demonstration to protest the delayed posting of intern nurses among other issues.
KNUN national chairman Joseph Ngwasi, however, urged the government to end doctors' and clinical officers' strikes at all costs.
Addressing a press conference in Nairobi, Ngwasi said the union’s National Executive Council on Tuesday resolved to continue with ongoing talks with the government over the welfare of members.
“Our members are not about to go on strike. We have agreed as a union to continue with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” he said.
Ngwasi pointed out that there are gaps in the healthcare services due to the strike by doctors and clinical officers.
“Nurses cannot replace doctors. They are working within the scope of their job description,” he stated.
General Secretary Seth Panyako said doctors have the right to strike and it was up to the government to address their grievances.
“We cannot say the doctors are striking illegally. They have a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the government while we don’t,” he explained.
Panyako added that dispensaries are the only facilities that have not experienced disruptions because of the strike.
“The only place where things are going on smoothly are dispensaries because nurses are in charge there. They serve as nurses, doctors, clinical officers and even watchmen,” he stated.
Ngwasi reiterated that a strike is not a suitable option for nurses at the moment since the government has shown goodwill by engaging the union to address pressing issues.
“There is good progress at both levels of government towards signing the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the union and we are planning for a meeting next week for a conclusion,” he added.
He urged pre-nurse interns to remain patient as they deal with the issue of their posting and payment to conform with the Scheme of Service.
“We will proceed to take other legal measures if need be in relation to a circular that reduced intern’s pay from the previous job group K to a lower stipend pay,” he said.
He added that through engagements with the government, the state has agreed to hire more nurses and other health workers.