Bungoma county is set to promote more than 490 nurses in a bid to avert a strike over which a 14-day notice was issued on Tuesday.
Stephen Kokonya, executive committee member for health, said the process began in the 2015/16 financial year when more than 130 of them were promoted.
"We have rubberstamped the promotion of a further 248 nurses but the process has been relatively slow due to reasons beyond our control," said Kokonya.
He noted the names of shortlisted nurses were sent to the
County Human Resources Advisory Committee (CHRAC) for approval and then to the Public Service Board.
"Unfortunately, there was unforeseen delays in the relaying of these nurses' personal files from the Ministry of health in Nairobi because these were national government employees," he said.
"But I am glad their files are now with us. The process will be completed any time now."
To boost the morale, the Bungoma government has shortlisted a further 112 nurses for promotion.
"They are now being scrutinised by the CHRAC," said Kokonya.
The county and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) signed an MoU on
August 11, the latter assuring a consistent supply of
essential drugs to all health facilities in the county.
The Bungoma branch of the Kenya National Union of Nurse issued a strike notice claiming nurses had not been promoted as promised.
The nurses also want the county government to equip all Bungoma health facilities with drugs and other supplies.
Union secretary general for Bungoma, George Musundi, said most health centers and dispensaries do not have basic drugs.
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Kokonya explained: "We have been facing erratic supplies of drugs to our facilities and this has affected our operations. The hitch has mostly been due to unforeseen financial hiccups."
He cited a case where the county ordered Sh9 million drugs from Kemsa before the end of the 2015/16 financial year.
"The order was not paid for as the financial systems were shut down just before we could honour our obligation. This being the case, our subsequent order of Sh14-million drugs was put on hold," he said.
But the health executive said anti-malarial drugs were distributed as part of the National
Malaria Control Programme.
"We are also firming up an agreement with Kemsa for constant supplies of drugs as well as regular payments to their accounts through a money order," he said.
He assured the public of the county's commitment to boosting access to quality medical care.