Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has announced an immediate plan to hire 500 new nurses to boost health services across the county, even as the county government deploys locum nurses to ensure health facilities continue running smoothly during the ongoing strike.
Speaking during a press briefing on the state of healthcare in Machakos on Tuesday, August 19, Governor Wavinya directed the Department of Health and the County Public Service Board to fast-track the recruitment.
“The department of health is hereby directed to initiate the process of hiring 500 nurses and escalate the same to the County Public Service Board to advertise and recruit. This is immediate,” Governor Wavinya said.
She emphasized that the county is already using locum nurses to maintain essential operations in health facilities as the recruitment process takes shape.
“We cannot allow our people to suffer. Hospitals will continue to engage nurses on locum to keep services moving even as we prepare to bring 500 new nurses on board,” she stated.
The Governor also took a firm stand on payroll deductions for the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), raising concerns over questionable practices in union contributions.
“I hereby direct the County Public Service to cease any union deductions to KNUNM from the payroll until the matter has been addressed,” she said, warning that some officials were using unclear channels for membership payments.
She also appealed to Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu to push for timely release of funds meant for counties and to ensure health resources follow devolved functions.
“I call upon my sister, the Honorable Senator of Machakos, to direct her immense energy to ensure this matter, which is long overdue, is brought to closure. This will go a long way in addressing the challenges that continue to rock the health sector,” Governor Wavinya stated.
The Governor reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to dialogue with nurses and union leaders to end the ongoing strike, but insisted that patient welfare must come first.
“My Government remains open and committed to constructive engagement with union leadership in order to craft a workable return-to-work formula and end the current crisis,” she said.
Governor Wavinya concluded by warning politicians against colluding with union officials to undermine healthcare delivery.
“Some union officials are being used by local politicians to cripple our health systems. This is unacceptable, and I call upon the political class to put the lives of Machakos residents above self interests,” she added.
