The County Government of Siaya, led by County Secretary Mr. Joseph Ogutu, has reached an agreement with the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) to end the ongoing industrial action by nurses and midwives in the county.
The strike, which had lasted three weeks, had severely disrupted healthcare services across public hospitals and health centres in Siaya, leaving many patients unattended and forcing others to seek treatment in neighbouring counties or in private facilities. Emergency, maternal, and child health services were among the most affected, with several facilities operating on skeleton staff.
Speaking shortly after signing the agreement, KNUNM Secretary-General Siaya Branch Mr. Kennedy Hamisi said the decision to suspend the strike was made in good faith to allow room for the county to deliver on its promises.
“Our members have shown patience and resilience, but they have also made it clear that the issues raised must be addressed within the agreed timelines. We are giving the county 30 days to deliver, and we will be monitoring closely,” said Hamisi.
The union had raised five key issues prompting the proposed strike, ranging from delayed allowances to salary deductions. Nationwide, nurses have been pushing for nine contentious issues to be resolved, including uniform allowances, nursing allowances (20–30 percent of the grading structure), and correction of salary discrepancies. In Siaya, the county government pledged to address all salary deductions as part of the deal.
County Secretary Joseph Ogutu hailed the agreement as a milestone in restoring healthcare services and expressed optimism about rebuilding trust.
“We acknowledge the challenges faced by our nurses and midwives, and we are committed to working together to find lasting solutions. Our priority now is to ensure that services return to normal immediately,” Ogutu said.
For many patients, the return to normalcy could not come soon enough. At Bondo Sub-County Hospital, 63-year-old farmer Samuel Ochieng said he had been forced to travel to Kisumu for treatment during the standoff.
“It has been tough living with the prospect of having to travel far for treatment – costs money and time. I’m happy our nurses are back,” he said.
New mother Millicent Awuor from Ugunja described the relief of knowing maternity services would resume fully.
“I was worried I might have to deliver at home because the health centre near us had only one nurse. This agreement is a blessing for expectant mothers,” she said.
This evening, KNUNM national Secretary-general Seth Panyako officially issued a “Suspension of Strike Notice” heralding the cessation of the standoff in Siaya and confirming that the industrial action has been suspended pending the implementation of the agreed terms.
Those present during the signing included CECM Health Dr. Martin K’Onyango, County Public Service Board CEO Wilfred Nyagudi, Director of Human Resources Susan Raba, Director of Cabinet Affairs Zilpa Menya, CO Administration Walter Okelo, county legal officers, and other senior officials.
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