Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors (CoG), and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to urgently engage with health unions to resolve outstanding issues ahead of a planned strike by nurses and midwives.
Speaking during a special session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) in Karen, Nairobi, Kindiki emphasized the need for immediate dialogue to prevent disruptions in healthcare services.
“I urge the Ministry of Health, the CoG, and especially the SRC to actively engage the unions and conclude negotiations. We cannot afford disruptions in this vital sector,” Kindiki stated.
Ongoing Disputes Threaten Service Delivery
Kindiki’s intervention comes as nurses and midwives prepare to strike over unresolved labor and remuneration issues. He noted that while the government has managed to maintain uninterrupted health services so far, the situation remains precarious and requires urgent attention.
“We have not had any disruptions in service delivery, but this issue is pressing, and we need to resolve it swiftly,” he added.
The Deputy President placed particular responsibility on the CoG and the SRC, highlighting their critical roles in negotiations and remuneration matters affecting health workers employed by county governments.
Concerns Over Salary Disparities
In addition to addressing the nurses’ strike, Kindiki raised concerns regarding the ongoing review of salaries for national and county government employees.
He warned that poorly managed salary adjustments could create tensions within the public service. “We must be cautious not to create a divide between senior officials and lower-ranking employees,” he cautioned.
Kindiki stressed that dissatisfaction over remuneration could lead to further labor disputes and undermine productivity across government institutions. “We need to be very careful to avoid labor disruptions,” he reiterated.
Call for Consultations with SRC
Kindiki indicated his intention to seek further discussions with the SRC regarding concerns arising from its ongoing review of public-sector salaries. He proposed closed-door consultations between the commission and government officials to address these issues before they escalate into broader labor unrest.
“There are sentiments we are picking up from public servants regarding the salary review, and we need to provide input to ensure we do not create divisions or disputes,” he said.
The Deputy President emphasized that these issues affect workers across both levels of government, including those serving under county and national administrations.
Kindiki’s remarks highlight the government’s broader concern over labor relations, public-sector pay structures, and the need to prevent industrial action that could disrupt essential services.
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