By DAMARIS AWUOR: Nurses in Siaya County have vowed to continue their industrial action despite calls for the nationwide strike to be called off, insisting they will not return to work until grievances regarding unpaid salaries, the implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and non-functional medical cover are addressed.

The nurses, under the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), stated that the decision to remain on strike follows the county government’s failure to honor previous agreements reached with health workers.

Speaking on the ongoing standoff, KNUN Siaya Branch Secretary Kennedy Hamisi said the nurses’ concerns remain unresolved, particularly regarding the CBA provisions intended to safeguard their welfare and working conditions.

According to Hamisi, the nurses are also demanding the immediate disbursement of outstanding salaries. He noted that the county government has failed to pay several nurses despite calls from the national union level to end the strike.

“We cannot simply return to work when some of our members have not received their salaries,” Hamisi said, stressing that salary clearance is a non-negotiable condition for resuming duty.

The union official further highlighted severe issues with the nurses’ medical insurance scheme, explaining that it is currently non-functional and leaves health workers unable to access medical care themselves when sick.

The continuous strike has significantly disrupted healthcare delivery across Siaya County, leaving patients who rely on public hospitals and health centers facing reduced services and uncertain care.

While healthcare workers nationally have raised similar concerns over remuneration and employment terms, Siaya nurses emphasize that they require concrete action on signed commitments rather than verbal assurances.

Hamisi urged the county executive to engage the union in meaningful dialogue to resolve the dispute, reiterating that the nurses stand ready to resume work as soon as their salaries are paid, the CBA is fully implemented, and their medical cover is restored.