SIAYA: The Kenya Union of Nurses and Midwives, Siaya branch, has announced a total withdrawal of services beginning midnight on August 8, 2025.

Speaking to the media, County Secretary Kennedy Hamisi confirmed that all union-affiliated nurses across public health facilities in the county would down their tools.

“We are calling on all kin of patients in public health facilities to be aware that, beginning midnight, nurses will not be available to offer services,” said Hamisi.

He explained that the decision to strike followed failed negotiations with the county government, despite earlier efforts to resolve grievances through dialogue.

The union had previously suspended a go-slow to allow for talks, but Hamisi noted that these negotiations had been unproductive.

“We agreed to hold off the go-slow and give room for conciliation with our employer. Unfortunately, it yielded no results. Instead, we were directed to engage with the Council of Governors and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), who are not our direct employers,” he said.

At the heart of the dispute are several long-standing issues: the failure to confirm Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff as permanent and pensionable employees, the non-implementation of the Return-to-Work Agreement signed on November 2, 2017—including a Sh17,000 uniform allowance—and the county’s failure to implement a nursing service allowance of Sh10,000.

Other grievances include an acute shortage of nurses across the county and the non-remittance of statutory deductions, among other concerns.

Union branch chairman Denis Omolo appealed to the public for support and understanding.

“We urge members of the public to understand the plight of nurses. Support us in this struggle so we can serve you better and deliver quality healthcare,” said Omolo.

The strike is expected to paralyse operations in all public hospitals within Siaya County, leaving patients without essential nursing services.