Public health services in Tharaka Nithi County are expected to resume tomorrow morning after the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) county chapter directed its members to return to work in compliance with a court order secured by the county government.
The decision was announced by KNUN Tharaka Nithi Secretary Fabian Marigu and County Chairperson Joshua Mwithi after consultations with County Secretary Alex Muratha and Health Chief Officer Rose Micheni in Chuka Town.
Mr. Marigu said although the county branch fully supports the nationwide strike called by the union’s national office, it lacks the authority to suspend or call off the industrial action and must comply with the court directive.
He said the county government had shown commitment to addressing several concerns raised by nurses, prompting the local union officials to advise members to resume duty as negotiations continue.
“We are asking our members to report back to work in compliance with the existing court order and in recognition of the goodwill demonstrated by the county leadership in addressing issues affecting nurses in the county,” said Mr. Marigu.
He noted that progress had been made on some county-specific grievances, while discussions on the remaining issues would continue alongside the implementation of demands being pursued at the national level.
Among the local issues are the promotion of 98 nurses and the confirmation of nine nurses on permanent and pensionable terms.
Mr Muratha welcomed the move, saying it would restore essential health services that had been disrupted by the strike.
He apologised to residents for the inconvenience caused by the industrial action and reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to resolving the nurses’ concerns through dialogue.
“We thank the nurses for agreeing to resume duty and assure them that the county government remains committed to consultations and addressing the issues within its mandate,” Mr. Muratha said.
The nationwide strike was called to push for the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), improved salaries and allowances, implementation of career progression guidelines, better working conditions, adequate staffing, and improved supply of medical commodities in public health facilities.
Despite resuming work, the Tharaka Nithi KNUN branch said it remains in solidarity with nurses across the country as efforts continue to resolve the national grievances.
