Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has said that Governors won’t honor nurse’s demands.
He said the Governors hands are tied.
Currently, nurses in ten counties are on strike.
They are demanding for improved pay.
Other nurses from seven more counties including those working in the Ministry of Health are expected to join the strike on Monday.
The strike is on in West Pokot, Kisumu, Taita Taveta, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Wajir, Mandera, Vihiga, TharakaNithi, Nyandarua and Nyeri Counties.
On Monday, nurses in Garissa, the Ministry of Health, Samburu, Kirinyaga and Embu will join the strike.
Speaking at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Busia on Sunday where he attended a farewell Service for retired Vicar-General Venerable Daniel Olando and former Curate Rev. David Azenze, the Governor said the CoG can’t go against an order by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
SRC chairperson Lyn Meng’ich said the government will not be able to meet nurses’ pay demands because it can’t afford to.
Nurses have said they will call for a nationwide strike because they are being “arm twisted” by the National government and the Counties.
Ojaamong insisted the Council of Governors has no say in the striking Nurses’ demands over increased salaries and allowances.
“As Governors we have scrutinized the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Nurses, County and National Governments and found that it’s not tenable at the moment due to economic constraints”
“Our wish is that when the economy stabilizes in the near future we shall revert to the MoU to see how to implement it; for now there is no need for the strike,” he said.
Ojaamong added that a re-conciliatory committee has been formed by the National Government to address the issue.
He added that he is on record as being among few governors who have not failed to pay health workers’ salaries.
He added that he respects health workers and would have wished that their demands are met.
“When I took over as Governor in 2013 there were only 800 health workers and the number increased to 1200. We have already made tremendous progress in revitalizing the sector and come May this year, county residents will see improved facilities in public health institutions across the county. “He said.