By Andrew Mbuva
Nurses in Tharaka Nithi County will resume work on Thursday morning after the county leadership of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) directed members to return to duty in compliance with an active court order obtained by the county government, even as the nationwide nurses' strike remains in force.
The decision was announced following a consultative meeting between KNUN Tharaka Nithi County officials, led by Branch Secretary Fabian Marigu and Chairperson Joshua Mwithi, and county government representatives headed by County Secretary Alex Muratha and Health Chief Officer Rose Micheni.
Addressing the media in Chuka Town, Mr. Marigu clarified that the county branch did not have the mandate to call off the nationwide industrial action declared by the union's national office but was obligated to comply with the court order.
He said the county government had demonstrated goodwill by committing to address grievances affecting nurses in the county, prompting the local union leadership to direct members to resume work while negotiations continue.
"We are asking our members to resume duty in respect to an active court order and as a gesture of the goodwill shown by the county leadership to address grievances that concern them," Mr. Marigu said.
He noted that the union and the county government had reached an understanding on several county-specific issues, while discussions on the remaining concerns would continue alongside efforts by the national union to secure a resolution to countrywide grievances.
Among the key issues affecting nurses in Tharaka Nithi are the promotion of 98 nurses and the confirmation of nine others to permanent and pensionable employment.
County Secretary Alex Muratha welcomed the decision, saying it would restore essential healthcare services that had been disrupted by the strike.
"As a government, we apologise for the inconveniences caused to our people and thank the nurses for agreeing to resume duty," Mr. Muratha said.
He reaffirmed the county government's commitment to dialogue and consultation with healthcare workers and urged residents to seek services at public health facilities from Thursday, assuring them that normal operations would resume.
Despite returning to work, the Tharaka Nithi branch maintained that it remains fully in solidarity with nurses across the country participating in the nationwide strike.
The national industrial action seeks the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with nurses demanding improved salaries, enhanced allowances and better working conditions.
The union is also pushing for the implementation of career progression guidelines, increased staffing levels and adequate medical supplies in public health facilities across the country.
The Tharaka Nithi branch said it will continue supporting the national union's efforts until all outstanding issues are resolved through negotiations.
