Machakos County gov't welcomes talks with nurses to end ongoing strike

Nurses in Machakos abandoned their work stations last week as the dispute between them and the county escalated into industrial action.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi said that the county is willing to nip the crisis in the bud and allow residents to access healthcare services.

"We are determined to solve this matter, we move forward. Let us not make it political because those who will be affected are the patients," he said at the Kithimani Salvation Army church.

"If our healthcare infrastructure is good we can benefit from clients who are coming from urban centres. Let us negotiate with our doctors to end the strikes."

The strike came into effect following a nationwide notice issued in May this year in which nurses were pushing for, among other issues, implementation of the collective bargaining agreement, promotions, non-remittance of statutory deductions and non-compliance with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission circular of 2024.

They are demanding that the county honours the collective bargaining agreement that granted them a salary hike.

This has affected patients in the county health facilities are bearing the brunt of the ongoing nurses’ strike as scores of patients at the county’s level five hospital have been left unattended.