The County Government of Siaya and the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) Siaya Branch today, 19th October 2026, signed a Return-to-Work Agreement. The agreement ends the ongoing industrial action and paves the way for the full restoration of essential health services across the county.
It is the result of sustained dialogue and concrete steps by the County Executive to address longstanding concerns raised by the Union. These include timely payment of salaries, processing and reactivation of Unified Personal Numbers (UPNs), settlement of outstanding arrears and third-party deductions, enhancement of medical cover, employment of additional nurses, and resolution of withheld payments.
Under the agreement, the County has committed to:
✅Paying salaries by the 5th of every following month, with any anticipated delays communicated to the Union in good time.
✅Processing March and April 2026 salary arrears for new employees in the November payroll.
✅Completing outstanding UPN reactivation and related issues by 30th November 2026.
✅Paying all third-party arrears under an approved plan beginning 30th October 2026.
✅Issuing appointment letters and onboarding 55 additional nurses with effect from 1st November 2026, to be completed by 31st December 2026.
✅Refunding withheld payments by 30th November 2026.
✅Continuously engaging the Union to improve the scope and quality of medical insurance cover for all County Government employees.
In return, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives Siaya Branch has agreed to immediately and unconditionally call off the strike. All nurses are required to resume duty immediately and, in any case, not later than 24 hours after the signing of the Agreement.
The County Government of Siaya through Acting County Secretary Ms Elizabeth Adongo has also given a firm undertaking that there will be no victimisation or intimidation of any nurse or Union member who participated in the industrial action.
Ms. Adongo appreciated the constructive engagement of the Union leadership and the negotiating teams that secured this agreement. She further recognised the sacrifices, resilience and professionalism of the county’s nurses and other healthcare workers, whose welfare and dignity remain a priority for the County Government of Siaya.
The parties will reconvene in early December 2026 to review compliance with the undertakings.
Present during the signing were Union leaders Kennedy Hamisi (Secretary General) and Denis Omolo (Chairman), who signed the agreement with Acting County Secretary Ms Elizabeth Adongo. Also present as witnesses were the County Executive Committee Member ( CECM) for Governance, Administration and ICT Mr. Joseph Rading Otieno, Chief Officer for Governance and Administration Hon. Walter Okelo, Acting CEO of the Siaya County Public Service Board Mr Wilfred Nyagudi, and Director of Medical Services Eunice Achieng Fwaya.
Through dialogue and delivery, Governor James Orengo’s administration remains committed to restoring healthcare services and honouring its commitments to Siaya’s health workers and the citizenry at large.
