Patients’ pain persists at Kenyatta

The agony of patients at Kenyatta National Hospital entered the second day Thursday, as workers ignored a return-to-work formula signed by the management and their union.

The more than 5,000 nurses and other workers are demanding a 46 per cent pay increase awarded by the High Court last year. They have accused the hospital’s management of reneging on effecting the award.

Following the strike that began on Wednesday, nurses only attended to emergencies at the Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency Unit, Paediatrics and the accident wards.

Kenya Progressive Nurses Association chairman Gerald Njagi said the workers want money put on the table first before they resume duty.

“We are discontented with the management for giving promises and failing to address the plight of workers... However, the association is talking to them to resume duty as the issue is being addressed,” he said.

In the deal signed by the hospital’s Deputy Director (Clinical Services), Dr Simon Monda, and Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels and Allied Workers (Kudheiha) acting secretary-general Colonel Ounda, the hospital management promised not to victimise any employee for boycotting work.

The government also agreed to implement the CBA by July 31 while the workers agreed to resume duty.

The deal came barely a day after Health Secretary James Macharia promised that the government would implement the CBA from July 31.

“I’m therefore urging the union officials to call off the strike with immediate effect to ensure resumption of services by all their members,” he said.

Meanwhile, a showdown is looming between nurses and the management of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret over a CBA signed last year.

Kenya National Union of Nurses officials led by secretary Sammy Cheserek accused the management of refusing to meet them on May 27 to discuss the issue.

He gave the managers a two-week notice to set up its negotiating team and engage the union, failing which the nurses will withdraw their services.

Hospital director John Kibosia expressed fear that the workers may strike to push for pay increase.

“We have talked to the ministry officials and assured us that they will be paid but I fear that they may emulate their KNH colleagues who have downed their tools,” he told Nation Thursday.