Save us from county tyranny, plead nurses

Nurses have accused governors of frustrating them and renewed calls for the Health docket to be reverted to the National Government.

Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary-General Seth Panyako said constitutional loopholes should be sealed to enable a smooth transition.

He was speaking when he appeared before the Senate Health Committee at Parliament Buildings yesterday.

Mr Panyako said the failure by the National Assembly to enact laws is to blame for the persistent strikes by health workers in the counties.

In addition, he said only the formation of a health service commission would help address skewed employment and pay. He said county governments should handle infrastructure.

Mr Panyako told the committee that the setting of labour standards remains a prerogative of the National Government as indicated in the Fourth Schedule.

“Health has not been transferred legally to the county governments because we do not have a law,” said Mr Panyako.

He said governors are frustrating nurses by denying them promotions and transfers after staying in one station for three years.

“Some nurses have been in one job group for the last 10 years,” said Mr Panyako.

The committee chaired by Mr Steward Madzayo (Kilifi, ODM) appealed to the nurses only to go on strike as a last resort.

“Health workers are walking away from patients. Instead of saving lives. They are killing. This is against their ethics,” he said.

Committee Vice-Chairperson Martha Wangari demanded to know why the strikes are happening only in some counties.

“Why the discrepancy? Health personnel in some counties have no issues. Is it that the unions are just uncomfortable with the health functions being devolved?” She said.