Nurses Threaten To Down Tools In Solidarity With Striking Colleagues
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has threatened a statewide strike in solidarity with the striking hospital workers at Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH).
While speaking in Mombasa on November 3, KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako made the declaration while demanding that the issues of the striking nurses, who make up the vast bulk of the hospital’s workers, be addressed.
“Mugenda has been directly registering workers, a move that is against the law. Also, she has been sending workers on leave and recalling them from leave, which is not under her mandate,” Panyako asserted.
“This is the job of the Chief Executive Officer, not the board chair. She has also halted the issuance of medical insurance cover to the hospital staff, further derailing their working conditions,” he claimed.
National Nurses' Union Warns of Nationwide Strike Over Kenyatta University Hospital Crisis. pic.twitter.com/q8Gp59tS9u
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) December 3, 2024
Panyako also joined the striking nurses in asking for the dissolution of the KUTRRH Board, which is led by former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof. Oliver Mugenda.
He chastised Mugenda, accusing her of mismanaging the institution and performing activities beyond her authority.
Panyako claimed Mugenda was behind efforts to remove the immediate past CEO, Ahmed Dagane, who was placed on leave.
He contended that the relocation was damaging to the health facility, pointing out that the hospital had achieved tremendous progress under Dagane.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union and the Kenya National Union Of Nurses At Kenyatta University Teaching Research And Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) paralyzed healthcare services at the level 6 facility for the better part of the day.
— tv47ke (@Tv47Newske) December 2, 2024
The staff were… pic.twitter.com/mRWEdJZwk7
“The CEO who was in charge of KUTRRH was voted the best CEO in the past year amongst government health facilities. Why move to dismiss someone who was voted the best CEO?” he posed.
“We hereby call for the immediate dissolution of the KUTRRH Board, starting with the chair, Olive Mugenda,” Panyako asserted.
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KUTRRH employees protested on Monday, December 3, citing low morale, a toxic work environment, stagnation in the same job group, revenue loss, mental health issues, and staff attrition.
As a result, the staff issued a note to the hospital management outlining 10 requests, the most important of which was correct job grade labeling and alignment.
Workers also wanted workplace justice and fairness, particularly when it came to employment terms.
They complained that, despite having equal skills, some employees were hired on a permanent basis while others were on contract, impeding their career advancement.
Nurses Threaten To Down Tools In Solidarity With Striking Colleagues
