Striking nurses, clinical officers and laboratory technicians staged demonstrations in Eldoret City on Monday, demanding that their grievances be addressed.
The health workers, waving placards and blaring vuvuzelas, marched from Eldoret Sports Club along Kisumu Road to the central business district before proceeding to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly and Governor Jonathan Bii's offices.
Traffic was disrupted as police escorted the demonstrators along the streets.
Police officers led by Eldoret Central OCS James Lenaso escorted the demonstrators to ensure peace and order during the march.
The workers presented a memorandum to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly.
The strike by nurses in Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties has continued.
Kenya National Union of Nurses official Kevin Kimutai and Clinical Officers Union official Xavious Wamalwa were among the union leaders who led the demonstrations in Eldoret.
Wamalwa said they would, from next week, escalate the strike to paralyse operations at all hospitals, including private facilities.
“We are talking to our colleagues in the private sector so that we join hands to push for our demands and rights that are aimed at improving health services”, said Wamalwa.
Kimutai said nurses form the backbone of healthcare delivery and that hospitals would be severely affected in their absence.
He said nurses had been ignored for a long time despite raising their concerns with governors.
"We have been negotiating for a long time to avert the strike. We will not resume work until our demands are met," Kimutai said.
The nurses are demanding the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreements, promotions and payment of salary arrears.
"It is our desire as health workers to serve patients without such disruptions, but we cannot do so if our rights are ignored," he said.
“Unless they deal with our issues, there will be no work at all in county hospitals."
Wamalwa said counties must sign Collective Bargaining Agreements with all the unions to enable healthcare workers to resume duty and help patients who are suffering without care.
Striking health workers on the streets of Eldoret
Striking health workers carrying placards on the streets of Eldoret
The striking workers with banners during the demos in Eldoret
