Kericho: Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai has issued a stern directive to the county’s nurses participating in the nationwide strike, demanding their immediate return to duty. He warned that the county government would advertise their positions and recruit new nurses if they failed to resume work promptly.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Mutai emphasized that the county government could not permit the ongoing disruption of essential health services. He noted that the county’s residents rely heavily on public health facilities for vital medical care. The Governor assured that nurses who returned to work would retain their positions, while those who continued to strike risked losing their jobs as the county sought to fill the vacancies.
Dr. Mutai highlighted that the industrial action was a national issue impacting nurses across all 47 counties. He stated that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Council of Governors, and the Ministry of Health were addressing the concerns raised by the nurses. Despite the strike, he noted that clinical officers, doctors, consultants, laboratory technologists, and pharmacists had remained on duty, ensuring that health services were still available.
The Governor reassured residents that outpatient services were operational throughout the county, encouraging them to visit their nearest public health facilities. He emphasized that doctors, clinical officers, laboratory technologists, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers were available to provide necessary medical treatments and services.
Dr. Mutai cited several health facilities, including Kericho County Referral Hospital, Kapkatet Hospital, Londiani, Sigowet, and Ainamoi, as operational during the strike. He also mentioned that the municipal health facility in Kericho town continued to serve residents.
He further elaborated on the county’s efforts to invest in healthcare infrastructure and equipment to enhance service delivery. Kapkatet Hospital, in particular, had seen the completion of new theatres and other facilities, with plans to equip and upgrade the hospital to offer higher-level services.
The Governor also highlighted the county’s initiatives to strengthen pharmaceutical services, ensuring that medicines would be distributed to Level Two and Level Three facilities for easier access by patients. He commended the dedication of healthcare workers who remained committed to their duties, especially doctors, clinical officers, laboratory technologists, pharmacists, and other staff who maintained the operations of public health facilities during the strike.
