This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
On a sweltering Monday morning, June 29, 2020, patients at Busia County Referral Hospital were met with long queues and empty promises of treatment. The facility, which was supposed to provide much-needed health services, was instead a scene of desperation and frustration.
Among those affected was 89-year-old Jared Ijakaa, who had been referred to the hospital from Kocholya Health Centre for further treatment. He expressed his disappointment at the turn of events, saying, "We came here at 9.00am only to be told that the strike began at midnight."
Winnie Esnas, a mother from Burumba, was also left disappointed. She had brought her child to the hospital for treatment but was met with empty promises. "When I reached the gate, I was told to line up but so far nothing is happening," she said.
Busia County Secretary General for Kenya National Union of Nurses, Philemon Nakoche, insisted that the strike would continue as planned because the County Administration had not addressed their grievances. He claimed that the Deputy Governor, Moses Mulomi, had promised to promote some of the health staff but failed to follow through.
The strike, which involved over 1,000 workers, was sparked by delayed promotions, arbitrary transfers, and a lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs) among other grievances.
By Salome Alwanda
