- First, they all demanded to sign recognition agreements with their main employers – Ministry of Health and County governments.
- The nurses said there is no need for them to go on strike because their demands are already being met through discussions.
Image: LEAH MUKANGAI
Two more health unions, which are not recognised by employers, have issued strike notices.
The National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT) and the Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dieticians (KUNAD) gave a seven-day strike notice on April 9.
Each had tabled four demands last week on April 2, which they said were not addressed.
First, they all demanded to sign recognition agreements with their main employers – Ministry of Health and county governments.
Knupt also demanded salaries for pharmaceutical technologists posted by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
Currently, pharmacy degree interns are paid about Sh212,000 every month, but diploma holders are excluded.
The union also demanded the Public Service Commission reviews the scheme of service for all technologists to ensure career progression.
It also demanded permanent jobs for all technologists hired on contracts to pilot the Universal Health Coverage and under the Covid-19 Health Emergency Response Project.
“We firmly believe that taking an expeditious action in this regard will avert more sufferings to Kenyans who are in dire need of pharmaceutical services,” said Knupt secretary general Irura Elius at a joint meeting in Nairobi.
Kunad secretary general Michael Odera also demanded stipends for all nutritionist and dietician interns.
He further demanded the employment of UHC interns.
“We have also noted exclusion of other healthcare workers in the ongoing discussions,” Odera said.
Their announcement came as the Kenya National Union of Nurses held talks with the Ministry of Health’s Director of Administration Adan Halakhe.
“The ministry stated that after considering the negotiations with the union, they came into agreement that all the UHC nurses shall be absorbed on permanent and pensionable terms and also paid their gratuities in June 2024,” secretary general Seth Panyako said after the meeting.
The nurses said there is no need for them to go on strike because their demands are already being met through discussions.
The union said the ministry had advised the interns through their representatives, who were present at the meeting, to collect their posting letters with the current terms, since the National Treasury still insists that there's no additional funding for the internship programme.
On Tuesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki accused the two striking cadres of rubbishing orders from the Employment and Labour Relations court, which has declared their strike illegal.
“Gatherings, protests or whatever other action(s) in pursuit of grievances outside the law and in breach of court directives undermines the constitutional order of the country and are, therefore, not permissible,” he said in a statement.
At the same time, the CS said the striking doctors have been intimidating and threatening violence against health workers who decided not to participate in the strike.
Kindiki also highlighted that the health workers involved in the strike have repeatedly threatened to disrupt services in health facilities, interfere with the work of non-striking health workers, and disrupt public order in general.
In addition, the Interior boss directed security agencies to protect the public and doctors who are on duty.
“Law enforcement agencies are directed to ensure strict maintenance of law and order to protect the general public and the health workers who have chosen to obey the court order by providing services pending the resolution of the labour dispute,” Kindiki said.
Health workers had announced that they would hold a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi on Tuesday.
President William Ruto on Sunday asked striking doctors to resume work and accept what the government has offered to hire intern doctors.
Ruto emphasised that doctors need to realise that the country doesn't have the resources to raise wages for its workers.
He stressed that the county must manage within its available resources instead of resorting to borrowing to pay wages.
"We must tell ourselves the truth that the time has come for us to live within our means," Ruto said.
However, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union responded and said they will not backtrack on the issue of salaries.