West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has issued an 18-hour ultimatum to striking nurses in the County. Speaking after an inspection at Kapenguria County hospital, Governor Lonyanagapuo said nurses should resume work before Tuesday morning or face the sack.
“I will be here by 7 am to see the nurses who would’ve reported back, anyone who won’t be back to work will be sacked,” he said, adding that the vacant positions will then be advertised by Friday, this week.
The West Pokot Governor observed that local politics has infiltrated the issue of the nurses’ strike in order to frustrate his leadership, “Some were supporting the former Governor and he didn’t solve their issues and now they don’t want the stalemate to be dealt with,” he said.
He said the County leadership has held talks with the nurses but no solution has been found, “We’ve held talks with the nurses three times since I was elected but the talks haven’t been productive,” he said, “They’ve even met the Deputy Governor Dr. Nicholas Atudonyang and I even held discussions with them when I was still a Senator. A time comes when you must act.”
He said that deaths have been reported in the County as a result and patients continue suffering, “Some locals have opted to go to private hospitals and haven’t been cleared because of the huge bills, one is at a referral hospital and is supposed to pay Kshs 2 million,” he said.