By KPC Reporter
After days of tense negotiations and mounting uncertainty in Migori County’s health sector, nurses can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
A landmark agreement between the Kenya Union of Nurses (KNUN- Migori branch) and the county government has resolved long-standing grievances, paving the way for improved working conditions and restored services across local health facilities.
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Ezekiel Mbira, KNUN Migori branch secretary, confirmed the breakthrough during the signing ceremony.
He described the agreement as a turning point for health workers in the county, noting that the long-overdue implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had finally been honored.
“Nurses who have stagnated in the same job groups for years are now receiving their promotion letters,” Mbira announced.
“Several have already collected theirs, and the rest are expected by tomorrow. This is a victory for our members.”
In addition to promotions, the agreement addresses critical issues such as staff shortages and allowances.
Mbira assured nurses that these concerns had been factored into the deal, and announced the immediate suspension of the ongoing industrial action.
Nurses were directed to resume duty within 24 hours, allowing health services to return to normal across the county.
The reactions
Kakrao MCA and Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Martin Okello, welcomed the agreement and pledged to fast-track the supplementary budget to ensure nurses’ allowances and welfare needs are met without delay.
“I am happy that our nurses will resume work immediately,” Okello said.
“As an assembly, we shall support the supplementary budget to guarantee that what belongs to our health workers reaches them.”
County CEC for Health, Caleb Opondo, echoed the sentiments, commending both the union and county leadership for choosing dialogue over confrontation.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to progressively address health workers’ concerns under Governor Dr. George Mbogo Ayako’s leadership.
“Some nurses had not been promoted for nine to fifteen years,” Opondo noted.
“Yet in just three years of this government, promotion letters have already started being released. This agreement is a testament to our goodwill and commitment to boost staff morale and improve service delivery.”
Opondo added that while promotions were already underway, other issues—including uniform and nursing allowances—would be incorporated into the supplementary budget for the current financial year.
