Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has pleaded with striking nurses to end the strike for the sake of innocent patients.
Speaking at the burial of Warare Mixed Secondary School Principal Joan Wamalwa, at Nanjekho Village in Agenga Nanguba Busia County, he said there is need to find a lasting solution to the teachers strike.
Flanked by Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, the former PM said there is need for the nurses to abandon the strike and dialogue.
“The county and national governments should sit down and find out a lasting solution with the nurses union to enable the country prosper. There is no need to chest thump on this crucial issue.
It’s my humble plea for the nurses to report on duty by Monday February 18th, 2019,” he said.
He added that the nurses union should adopt a reconciliatory approach instead of embracing industrial action.
Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong said the nurses union has served his government with a notice to join in the strike starting Monday.
He said they have given the nurses a window to hold talks aimed at finding a solution.
“We are ready to engage them in the spirit of reconciliation,” Ojaamong said.
Joan was the sister to Busia Assembly Speaker Bernard Wamalwa.
Scores of Principals and Education officials from Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley attended the funeral.
Leaders present included Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi, Busia First Lady Judy Ojaamong, MPs Raphael Wanjala (Budalangi), Oundo Mudenyo (Funyula), Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos), Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga), former Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, Justice Smokin Wanjala, Auditor General Edward Ouko and KUPPET Busia County Executive Secretary General Moffats Okisai.