Relief for patients as Bomet nurses call off strike

Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako in Nakuru on February 18, 2019. /RITA DAMARY
Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako in Nakuru on February 18, 2019. /RITA DAMARY

Bomet patients can now breathe a sigh of relief after nurses in the county called off their strike.

The nurses on Wednesday

agreed to go back to work after consultations with the Kenya

National Union of Nurses (KNUN)

officials.

Bomet is among the counties that joined the strike on Monday this week.

The county's head of Public Service Evalyne Rono after signing the return-to-work formula said there will be no victimisation of striking nurses as a sign of goodwill.

The county official said the local issues raised during the talks will be resolved within 21 days.

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"The national issues contained in the November 2, 2017 return-to-work formula would have to await the outcome of the conciliation meeting since they are external in nature," Rono said.

She said the county appreciates the hard work and dedication of nurses and would do everything possible to address their grievances.

Bomet joins Murang'a, Kisii and Embu counties whose nurses called off their strike this week.

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Despite the court order suspending the strike for 60 days, more than 5,000 nurses across the country are yet to go back to work.

KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako told union members to remain firm and fight for their rights.

The union officials are expected to appear in court on February 26 for contempt of court.

The Ministry of Health and Council of Governors have threatened to fire striking nurses and put in place mechanisms to ensure they don't get re-hired at any level of government.

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