Kenyan nurses have threatened renewed strikes against the Council of Governors' plan to hire them on contract, citing constitutional concerns and job security risks. The National Union of Nurses (KNUN) and Cotu warned that healthcare services would face disruption if the proposal proceeds.
KNUN Secretary General Seith Panyako accused the Council of Governors (CoG) of discriminatory practices, stating that health workers deserve stable employment and fair pay like other public sector employees. He specifically criticized CoG chairman Wycliffe Oparanya of Kakamega and Mwangi wa Iria of Murang’a for advancing the contract hiring model, alleging they had formed a company to lease nurses to counties and institutions.
"We are aware of efforts by some governors to exploit health workers through contractual arrangements, and we will not allow this," Panyako said. He emphasized that the plan violates constitutional principles and noted upcoming union meetings to finalize opposition strategies.
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli called the proposal "laughable" and unconstitutional, vowing to oppose what he described as an ill-advised initiative threatening healthcare sector stability. The dispute follows earlier reports from 2019, including Kisumu County’s plan to hire nurses on contract to circumvent strikes, highlighting tensions between public sector unions and devolved government structures.
