Leaders from Kenya's 47 counties announced plans to hire nurses on contractual terms during the 7th National and County Governments Summit in Nyeri County, while enforcing penalties for medical staff who failed to return to work by February 15, 2019.
The directive followed President Uhuru Kenyatta's February 2019 order requiring nurses in 18 counties to resume duties, with county chiefs instructed to terminate employment for those who refused. The measure came after nurses initiated a strike in January to demand implementation of a November 2018 collective bargaining agreement.
A joint statement from Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki emphasized disciplinary actions against non-compliant staff, stating: "Disciplinary proceedings be instituted in accordance with existing regulations by both levels of government where nurses failed to report on duty by Friday, 15th February 2019 as directed." The agreement also outlined plans for future nurse recruitment through contractual arrangements under a policy to be developed by the Public Service Commission.
Despite ongoing concerns about healthcare service disruptions, Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission confirmed no budget for salary increases, leaving thousands of Kenyans without adequate care at public facilities. The summit reiterated commitments to improve coordination between national and county governments to address systemic challenges in the health sector.
