Unions representing more than 3,500 healthcare workers at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret have suspended for two weeks a general strike that was to begin yesterday.
Officials from the unions signed an agreement with hospital management, led by CEO Phillip Kirwa, giving the government time to address their demands, including financial obligations amounting to more than Sh5 billion.
Kirwa said the parties had held constructive talks that helped avert a strike which would have paralysed services at the country’s second-largest referral hospital.
He said a workable arrangement had been reached to enable the hospital to remit statutory deductions from workers’ pay, including more than Sh3 billion owed largely to the pension scheme.
He added that other concerns, including those related to the collective bargaining agreement and staff welfare, had also been addressed.
Kirwa said the hospital had received Sh2 billion from the Social Health Authority, with a further Sh1 billion expected, which would support continued operations and patient care.
In addition, he said the hospital had received Sh4.6 billion in capitation from the Treasury and was awaiting a further Sh1.5 billion, funds he believes will help resolve many of the institution’s challenges.
“We are grateful that the unions have agreed to suspend the strike as we work to implement what we have agreed.”
Dr Edwin Rono, branch secretary of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union, said the unions welcomed management’s intervention to avert the strike.
“The document we have signed is a major step for workers, but we will be monitoring closely. If what has been agreed is not implemented, we will take further action,” he said.
Rono also serves as secretary of the unions’ caucus at the hospital.
Daniel Osoro, branch secretary of the Kenya National Union of Nurses, said union members would remain vigilant to ensure the agreement is fully honoured.
Xavier Wamalwa, representing clinical officers, said the planned strike had been driven by concerns over both staff welfare and patient care.
“We have agreed on several issues, particularly the remittance of pension deductions. We are suspending the strike for two weeks, and if our demands are not met, we will resume,” he said.
He added that the suspension was a goodwill gesture to allow both the government and hospital management time to organise the implementation of the agreed measures.
Dr Kirwa said the hospital’s wage bill accounts for more than 70 per cent of its budget, reflecting the labour-intensive nature of healthcare.
He also pointed to a shortfall in government capitation, but said additional funding is expected through a supplementary budget.
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