You will lose your jobs, Nyongo warns nurses

Go back to work or lose your jobs. This was the stern message Medical Services minister Prof Anyang Nyong’o gave to striking health workers on Tuesday.

Those dismissed would be replaced immediately, he said, as a Kenya Health Professionals Society official Alex Orina said they would ignore the warning and go on with the strike. (READ: Nurses disown minister's back to work deal)

The allowances were awarded are discriminative, said Mr Orina, adding “If any health worker is sacked, we will not return to work.”

Private hospitals

At the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru, more than 400 nurses and health workers vowed not to return to work until their demands were met while private hospitals in Western Kenya were congested.

The same situation was reported in Kisumu, Migori, Rongo, Awendo, Uriri, Nyatike and Kuria constituencies where wards in private hospitals were full.

Medical staff at Nyamira hospital, however, ignored the strike, while only emergency services were being offered at Coast Provincial General Hospital.

Coast chairman of the Kenya Heath Professional Society Rashid Mwangangi Musingi said they had rejected the back-to-work formula and would stay put until a better deal was offered.

Reports By Joy Wanja, Henry Nyarora, Francis Mureithi and KNA