The nurses had cited insecurity as well as frustration by the KNH management, which was against their move to join the Panyako-led union from KUDHEIHA/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 2 – Normalcy has returned at the Kenyatta National Hospital after the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) asked striking nurses to resume duty.
This is after the Ministry of Health agreed to address their grievances, which include insecurity and leeway to join KNUN from a rival union.
The union’s Secretary General Seth Panyako who addressed the nurses says the management of KNH has also been directed to sign a recognition agreement paving way for the nurses to join KNUN.
“The ministry was very clear that they do not want to hear anything like going to court. If we get any hitch, we shall come back to you,” he asserted.
Panyako had earlier been arrested and charged in court for allegedly inciting the nurses, majority of whom are not members of KNUN.
The nurses had cited insecurity as well as frustration by the KNH management, which was against their move to join Panyako led union from the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).
“All the forms which you have signed to leave KUDHEIHA which you never joined shall be handed over to the Deputy Director nursing services. Once he verifies those forms, he will write a letter and forward them to the Chief Executive Officer,” he said amid cheers from the nurses.
After this, the KNH management will be tasked to start deducting union dues which will be directed to KNUN coffers.
“After that, we shall do a recognition agreement and then start a Collective Bargaining Agreement…that is a directive from the ministry which is the main employer,” he said.
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