Leaders of health workers unions have directed striking Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) health workers to obey a Court order issued on Tuesday and suspend their strike. KNH health workers had gone on strike from Monday following delayed pay increment by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in accordance with a strike notice issued on 21st September. However, the Court on Tuesday ruled that the strike be suspended until their case is heard and determined.
The workers called out SRC for failing to implement a salary review, which has been in force since 2012. The salary structure hasn’t been effected, even though the money has been released already by the Treasury and approved by Parliament. Addressing the health workers on Wednesday, KNUN secretary general Seth Panyako criticized SRC’s stand on the issue, “There is no way a deal agreed in 2012 can be opposed by SRC, which wasn’t even formed back then,” he said.
He said the KNH health workers should obey Court orders, for there to be any victory in their pursuit, “According to the decision made by our leaders, we’ve decided we’ll respect the Court. We’ll allow you to go back and work and allow us to fight for your rights in Court and I promise you we’ll win.” He said the nurses union has always received its due through the Courts and not the executive.