Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has said his government has complied to meet the demands of the nurses in the county.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses had called for industrial action two months after calling off a nationwide after signing a collective bargaining agreement with governors and the Ministry of Health in December 2016.
Part of the agreement was that the medics in Job group M and above would be paid Sh15,000 in special allowances while those in Job group G to L would receive Sh20,000 every month.
Reacting to reports that nurses across the country would resume the strike, the governor said his government has spent Sh6million to meet the nurses demands as per the CBA.
“We paid Sh12, 000 to nurses in the Job Group G to L and Sh 9,000 to those in Job group M and above. The payment has already been reflected in the January 2017 pay slips,” he said. Ojaamong said his government has no problem with them, saying they have kept part of their bargain. “They already have money in their accounts. What I want is efficient service delivery,” he said.
Busia County Chief Nurse Assumpta Matekwa confirmed that 480 nurses across the county have received their allowances, adding that they are on duty except those on leave or off duty.
“They’ve confirmed that they’ve received their salaries inclusive of their allowances. We have no reason to go on strike when our demands have been met,” Matekwa said.
Chief Officer for Health Dr Asoka Itur asked them to continue with their good work. “I am wondering why some counties have not honoured their obligations to pay the nurses. I am appealing to doctors to end their two months strike. We are ready to pay them what the National Government has agreed by the end of February,” he said.