By OCHIENG CLINTON: Contrary to the expected executive service delivery, Siaya County governor’s office today transformed into a dancing and football arena.

The nurses’ industrial action that entered day 45 since it commenced, allowed the medical officers to dance to the tunes as the juggled ball at the county headquarters.

The nurses, led by their chairman David Omolo, were on the streets today demanding their rights as caregivers within the county claiming that the administration neglected them.

Failed promises

Dr Omolo accused the government of failing to honor the agreements that they put in place; CBA agreement of 2017 which they claim was signed under duress.

“The county government has a culture of failing to honor agreements. It’s so shameful for a governor to come out in the capacity as a county boss saying that the agreement was signed under duress,” Dr Omolo fumed.

He further made it clear that they will not resume duty until they are heard, and will no longer be in a position to trust anyone in times of negotiations.

“We are saying categorically, if you continue with the trend of disowning something that was agreed upon by two parties, we are telling you that the nurses of this country will never trust you in any negotiations,” he added.

The union’s Secretary General Kennedy Hamisi on his end claimed that the nurses do not have a working CBA to protect them at work,

Permanent and pensionable

He also expressed his concerns on the UHC nurses who have not been employed on permanent and pensionable basis, but work tirelessly for the county.

To add salt to the injury, they have not been paid for nearly seven months neither have they cleared their previous arrears.

“We have our nurses employed on contract and have not been paid for seven months. We ask the county government to give them their salaries because they report to work on daily basis, they cannot afford food, pay rent and they do not even have fare for transport to work,” Hamisi lamented.

“We have also not been paid our salaries and this is the third month now. We ask the county government and the Assembly to pass the budget so that we are paid,” he added.

Medical policy

Hamisi also expressed their concerns over the Star Medical cover, which he says has no premium benefits to them as nurses as they say it does not work in various health institutions whether public or private.

Eucabeth Owuor, a nurse within the Union, on her side shown frustrations on how they are unable to access services that they themselves provide to their patients in the county.

“The Star medical cover is not working for us, our employer should consider reverting to previous policy provider. We have nothing in our pockets to help our children and meet our daily needs,” she said.

As the National Government called for an end to the strike, KNUN- Siaya branch has made it clear that they will continue downing their tools until they are heard and all issues sorted out as per their demands.