Nurses in Kisumu County have officially ended their strike after signing a return-to-work agreement with the county government and the Ministry of Labour.
The agreement was signed on Friday, August 15, at the county secretary’s office following several days of consultative meetings.
It addressed key issues raised by members of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives.
Under the deal, the county government committed to implementing the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s 2024 salary structure within 30 days, pending clearance from the State Department of Public Service.
Arrears dating back to December last year will be settled once necessary salary processing codes are retrieved.
Nurses’ allowances were also increased. The uniform allowance will rise from Sh10,000 to Sh25,000 per year, phased in four equal installments starting in the 2025-26 financial year.
The Nursing Service Allowance will increase from Sh20,000 to Sh30,000, with the increment phased over four installments beginning in September and arrears cleared in October.
On job security and career growth, the county pledged to convert nurses under the Universal Health Coverage programme and those on contract to permanent and pensionable status, with updates expected within the current financial year. The County’s Career Progression Guideline, developed last year, will be reviewed, aligned with the Public Service Commission’s 2025 guidelines, and adopted within two months.
Negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement are scheduled to start in the first week of September and conclude within 60 days. Following the signing, the Kisumu branch of Knunm, in coordination with the national office, announced the immediate cessation of the strike. All nurses are expected to resume duty within 24 hours. The agreement also ensures that no nurse or union member will face intimidation or victimisation for participating in the strike.
The deal was signed by county officials Hesbon Hongo, James Obondi, Gregory Ganda, George Omondi, Jeshua Lusi, Marlyne Rabong'o, and union leaders Seth Panyako, Joackim Makori, and Andrew Otieno.
The Ministry of Labour said the agreement paves the way for continued dialogue to prevent future industrial disputes.
