Nurses demand urgent action on poor working conditions as government says it has no money
Leaders from the profession have urged the government to prioritise their welfare through promotions, policy implementation and adequate resourcing.
Nurses across the country have called for urgent action to address poor working conditions, severe staff shortages and what they describe as systemic neglect in the healthcare sector.
Leaders from the profession have urged the government to prioritise their welfare through promotions, policy implementation and adequate resourcing.
More To Read
- Nationwide strike looms as nurses, clinical officers demand action from govt
- KU Hospital nurses issue 21-day strike notice, demand reduced working hours
- Seven healthcare unions issue 14-day ultimatum over salary delays, medical cover
- Admissions stopped at Isiolo Referral Hospital as nurses go on strike
Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Secretary General Seth Panyako and National Nurses Association of Kenya President Collins Otieno raised alarm over the heavy workloads and widespread burnout among nurses.
“These nurses are not even taking leave. They suffer from back problems and burnout due to overwhelming workloads,” Panyako said during this year’s Nurses Week celebrations held at Migori Stadium, themed ‘Caring for Nurses Strengthens the Economy’.
He blamed acute staffing shortages for the growing strain on nurses and called for immediate recruitment to ease the burden.
Panyako also decried the sidelining of nurses in leadership, management and financial prioritisation, noting that despite being the backbone of healthcare, they are often excluded from key decision-making processes.
“We want to sit at every decision-making table,” he said.
The KNUN boss further criticised the recently introduced Social Health Authority (SHA), arguing that it has made it harder for nurses to access medical services.
“They provide care but can’t access the same. SHA has failed them. NHIF was far better,” Panyako said.
His sentiments were echoed by National Nurses Association of Kenya President Collins Otieno, who said nurses are frequently denied access to training opportunities due to chronic understaffing. He called on the government to implement an already approved career progression guideline from the Public Service Commission.
The union leaders demanded that the government honour the return-to-work formula and roll out long-overdue promotions, job reclassification, and other motivational policies that would improve the welfare of nurses across counties.
In response, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko said his administration was committed to improving the welfare of nurses and promised that promotions would be factored into the upcoming county budget.
“We recently hired 37 nurses and plan to add 13 more,” he said, assuring health workers of continued support.
Unfair treatment
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who also attended the event, condemned what he termed as unfair treatment of nurses by the government.
“It’s deeply unfair how nurses are treated. We’ll support their cause in the Senate,” Sifuna said.
He added that instead of scrapping the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the government should reform the Social Health Authority to address its current inefficiencies.
The national government says it cannot afford permanent terms for over 8,500 nurses
The debate over nurses’ welfare intensified after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale declared that the national government lacks the funds to offer permanent and pensionable contracts to more than 8,500 healthcare workers, many of whom were engaged under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Listen to me, you nurses, I have no money. I only have Sh3.5 billion for your contract terms,” Duale said, addressing the issue publicly for the first time.
He revealed that the funds had been lying unused at Afya House, despite constitutional provisions that dictate resources should follow functions.
CS Duale said that from July 1, 2025, the payroll for contract nurses would be handed over entirely to the county governments.
“If you are a nurse and you signed a contract with the county government, then your pay shall be at the county government offices by July 1, 2025, because I am transferring the whole payroll to the counties,” he said.
He insisted that governors are fully responsible for the terms of service and salaries of nurses stationed in their counties.
“It is the governor who will know if you have been working or not. How will I know what is happening at the county level when I am seated at Afya House?” the CS posed.
The affected healthcare workers, many of whom were frontline responders during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, have been protesting their precarious status and demanding the government honour earlier commitments to absorb them into the public service. They have also decried delays in receiving their gratuities.
Senator Sifuna pressed the CS to resolve the matter urgently.
“CS Duale, please find a way to solve the issue of UHC health workers. I am troubled by a phone call from these health workers who are demanding permanent and pensionable terms. Please save me,” Sifuna said.
The Nairobi Senator, who also serves as the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), said the government has sufficient resources to absorb the nurses. He noted that the persistent calls from distressed health workers were causing tensions at home.
“I am responding to phone calls and text messages late in the night. These are health workers concerned about their welfare. Please, CS Duale, save my marriage because my wife thinks I am in other businesses when my phone rings at night,” he added.
However, an adamant Duale blamed Parliament for failing to allocate enough resources.
“The Senate promised to have the county allocation raised to Sh450 billion, inclusive of what to pay the nurses. If the senators give me Sh4.2 billion, then I will comfortably pay the nurses,” he said.
He urged the nurses to direct their protests to both the National Assembly and the Senate.
“If I don’t get that extra amount, then nurses can take the demonstrations to the National Assembly. I am as straight as that,” he said.
Duale reminded the nurses that the constitution clearly outlines the division of roles and that budget-making is a function of Parliament.
“Your leaders go to both the Senate and the National Assembly to ask for funds so that we can employ you on permanent and pensionable terms,” he urged.
Vihiga Senator and ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi also appealed to the CS to resolve the impasse, saying it was time the government honoured its commitment to the health workers.
“I understand you are doing a good job at the Ministry of Health, but please help solve the issue of health workers so that they can be absorbed on permanent and pensionable terms,” Osotsi said.
Top Stories Today
