One patient dies as KNH workers down tools, demand action on 2012’s salary review

Health Services at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have been paralyzed, leaving one patient dead and several others seeking alternatives medical care elsewhere.

The latest comes after more than 4000 workers at KNH  made their strike threat real, downing their tools on Monday.

The Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Education Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers led by Kenneth Thuranira said the strike has officially begun and will paralyse services at Kenya’s largest medical facility.

KNH staffers are accusing the Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) of failing to approve the Ksh. 301m passed by the National Assembly and okayed by the treasury in 2012

Seth Panyako, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Secretary-General accused the SRC of failing to harmonise the salaries despite several government agencies giving their go-ahead.

Panyako said the worker’s salaries have not been increased since 2012, adding that the workers will not be meeting any government agency to resolve the standoff.

“What we want is to see SRC give that letter, advising Kenyatta National Hospital to effect payment of that money to all affected employees and thereafter the strike will be called off,” Panyako said.