The County Government of Siaya, led by Governor James Orengo, met with health sector union officials at the Governor’s office.
The meeting aimed to establish a committee to address grievances raised by union officials, outline a framework for resolving these issues, and find a path to end the ongoing strike that has paralyzed health services in the county.
The committee, which will convene for two weeks and begin work immediately, includes representatives from the County Government: the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Governance, Administration, and ICT, the CECM for Health and Sanitation, the Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation, the Finance Director or CECM in charge, the County Attorney, and the CEO of the County Public Service Board.
The ongoing strike, involving nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians, and other health officers, has severely disrupted services at major county health facilities. Patients seeking medical care have faced significant challenges, often forced to turn to private facilities at great personal cost.
During the meeting, Governor Orengo urged union officials to collaborate with the County Government to ensure the committee’s success and resolve the standoff swiftly. He emphasized that constitutional mechanisms exist to address the strike without undue delay.
The delegation included Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) National Chairman Peterson Mwaniki, Secretary General George Gibore, Branch Chairman Collins Kisero, regional representatives led by Aran Caren, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary and Treasurer, Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), and Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) officials.
The meeting was also attended by County Secretary Joseph Ogutu, CECMs Dr. Martin K’Onyango (Health and Sanitation) and Agunda Ochanda (Governance, Administration, and ICT), acting County Attorney Leonard Okanda, the Director of Finance, and other county and union officials.