Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to urgently engage health unions and resolve outstanding disputes ahead of a planned strike by nurses and midwives. Kindiki warned that prolonged disagreements with healthcare workers could disrupt the delivery of essential medical services, urging all parties to intensify negotiations and work towards an agreement.
The Deputy President made the remarks amid ongoing discussions between government representatives and health unions over unresolved issues affecting nurses and midwives. He called on the Ministry of Health, county governments and the SRC to make greater efforts to address the concerns raised by healthcare workers and prevent the dispute from escalating into industrial action. Kindiki said disruption of health services would have direct consequences for patients who depend on public hospitals and health centres, particularly those requiring regular or specialised care.
The planned strike comes against the backdrop of continuing disputes over the implementation of agreements between health workers and government authorities, including issues relating to remuneration, working conditions and other employment terms. The Council of Governors is involved because county governments employ most nurses and manage the majority of public health facilities. The Ministry of Health is responsible for national health policy and coordination, while the SRC has a constitutional mandate to advise on remuneration and benefits in the public service.
Kindiki’s appeal therefore brings together the main government institutions involved in resolving employment and remuneration matters affecting county health workers. The Deputy President did not announce a new agreement with the unions or indicate that the planned strike had been called off. His intervention was instead focused on encouraging the parties to conclude negotiations before industrial action begins. A nurses’ and midwives’ strike could affect services in public hospitals and health centres, including outpatient care, maternity services, inpatient treatment and emergency support, depending on the level of participation. For patients, the immediate priority is whether the government and unions can reach an agreement before the planned industrial action takes effect.
The Ministry of Health, CoG, SRC and health unions are therefore expected to continue negotiations on the outstanding matters. Until an agreement is reached or the unions formally suspend the planned strike, healthcare facilities and patients remain at risk of disruptions associated with industrial action. Kindiki’s intervention comes as the government seeks to prevent another interruption of public health services and resolve the outstanding employment issues through negotiations rather than a prolonged strike.