Kilifi County urges striking nurses to resume duty, cites ongoing dialogue
The county government spokesperson, Jonathan Mativo, said the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUN), Kilifi Branch, ignored a scheduled conciliation process and proceeded with the strike before mediation could take place.
The Kilifi County Government has called on striking nurses to return to work, insisting that most of their grievances have already been addressed and accusing the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUN) of acting in bad faith.
In a statement, the county government spokesperson, Jonathan Mativo, said the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUN), Kilifi Branch, ignored a scheduled conciliation process and proceeded with the strike before mediation could take place.
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The union had issued a strike notice on June 27, 2025, which was due to lapse on July 4, citing various employment-related grievances.
In response, the Ministry of Labour, through its Industrial Relations Officer, appointed a conciliator and scheduled a meeting for July 10 to help resolve the dispute.
The union was advised to hold off on the strike to allow the process to proceed.
“Despite this crucial intervention and advice, the Kilifi branch of the Union regrettably proceeded with the strike on July 9, before the scheduled conciliation meeting,” Mativo said.
The county said that most of the issues raised by the union were already being addressed in accordance with timelines set out in a return-to-work formula signed during a previous conciliation meeting held on March 11.
"It is important to highlight that most of the issues raised by the Union are actively being addressed and implemented by the County Government according to mutually agreed timelines," the statement noted.
"The Union's call for a strike was therefore not in good faith."
Mativo assured the public that healthcare services remain operational across the county and that all patients in admission wards are receiving uninterrupted care.
“The County Government is committed to upholding the health and well-being of its citizens and is taking all measures to mitigate the impact of this action,” he said.
The county urged nurses to resume work and engage in constructive dialogue through formal channels, emphasising that any discussions must take place within the law and established labour procedures.
"We urge all striking nurses to return to work immediately and engage in constructive dialogue through the established channels to resolve the issues. The County Government remains open to dialogue, but this must occur within the confines of the law and established labour relations procedures."
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