By Violet Auma|| violetmedia8@gmail.com
Kakamega County is in high-level consultations with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to resolve the ongoing doctors’ strike that has crippled services in public health facilities for over a month.
County Chief Officer for Medical Services, David Alila, confirmed that a crucial meeting has been scheduled for Monday next week between the county government and KMPDU officials to agree on a return-to-work formula.
The doctors downed their tools last month, citing poor working conditions and the county’s failure to honor the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“We are optimistic that Monday’s meeting will yield consensus. The issues we had with the board, which were in court, have now been resolved. We’ve been consulting with doctors and union officials and hope to fast-track the return-to-work process,” said Alila.
Alila was speaking at Shibwe Health Centre during this year’s International Nurses Week celebrations, held under the global theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care.”
The event honors the critical role of nurses and midwives in advancing public health and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Despite the doctors’ strike, Alila lauded nurses for their unwavering dedication to patient care, saying the county owes its operational resilience to the commitment of nursing staff.
He acknowledged that Kakamega County faces a significant shortage of nurses. However, he revealed that 279 nurses had been promoted in the past two months, with plans to promote the remaining group soon.
Additionally, the county is preparing to recruit 84 more nurses once the County Public Service Board becomes operational.
“We are aware of the shortage, and we are doing everything possible to address it,” said Alila.
Alila also cited delayed disbursement of funds from the national government as a key impediment in procuring essential pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals.
Speaking on the recent strike notice issued by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Alila said a looming crisis was averted after fruitful engagements with union officials.
“There was pressure for a strike earlier. We received a letter from the Secretary General, held a meeting, and evaluated the progress made. We promoted nurses, allowed them to pursue further education, and agreed to continue improving their welfare. Their concerns were met, and they shelved the strike,” Alila explained, adding that he hopes ongoing talks will prevent a strike similar to that of the doctors.
During the event, Kakamega County’s Chief Nursing Officer, George Lipesa, said the county has more than 1,000 nurses across 197 public health facilities spread across its 12 constituencies.
However, he emphasized that the number is insufficient given the county’s ballooning population and increasing demand for health services.
“We are facing an acute shortage. While 84 nurses need replacement due to retirement and other factors, we also require 80 new hires to meet current demand. Many colleagues have sought better opportunities abroad, while others have exited due to retirement,” Lipesa said.
He also raised concerns about the lack of specialized services within the county, forcing referrals to other counties.
“The ongoing doctors’ strike has greatly burdened us. We are overwhelmed, especially in areas where nurses are not licensed to handle certain clinical duties,” he added.
Midwife Jacinta Angote praised midwives for their vital role in maternal health, particularly during crises and staffing shortages.
“Midwives are crucial in caring for and supporting mothers before and after childbirth, even amid shortages and lack of essential equipment,” she noted.
Acting Chief Officer for Public Health, Rose Muhanda, emphasized the contribution of nurses in achieving Universal Health Coverage and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration.
“Our nurses are on the frontline — from community-level outreach to maternal wards. We visited the maternity ward here today, and every new mother has been registered to SHA, thanks to the efforts of our nursing staff. They are central to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality,” Muhanda said.
The event was also attended by Collins Otieno Ajwang, President of the National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK), who called on county governments to honor Collective Bargaining Agreements and other commitments made to health workers.
“The government must honor its pledges. Parliament directed the Ministry to employ UHC nurses on permanent terms, but delays persist. If the government truly supports nurses, it should formalize their employment,” said Ajwang.
As the county grapples with the impact of the ongoing doctors’ strike, the event served as a reminder of the indispensable role played by nurses and midwives in safeguarding public health.
All eyes are now on Monday’s meeting between Kakamega County and KMPDU, which could determine the trajectory of health service delivery in the region.
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