I know this comes as shock to every stakeholder in the health sector in Kenya that "Nurses will no longer be hired on a permanent basis". So if no permanent employment for Nurses in Kenya, what is next course of action and how will the hospital navigate through these changes?

The announcement comes shortly after both the national and county governments yesterday came to an agreement that they will be tackling issues that sometimes disrupt the smooth running of the health services in Kenya. As such, the issues of nurses unrest came as the major and number one contributing factor that affects health services.

Health CS Sicily Kariuki and Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya signed a statement saying that all caregivers will work on contract terms.

“Any vacancies for recruitment of nurses arising from normal attrition in both levels of government will be filled on contract terms. The Public Service Commission to develop a standardised contract framework for engagement of the health sector staff, including terms and conditions. The SRC input will be incorporated,” the statement read.

This statement comes after a meeting at the Sagana state lodge where the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and the council of governors held talks and struck a deal to work together to solve the cases and issues that cause unnecessary inconveniences in offering the health services. 

This follows as a result of the last 14 days nurse strike from the 14 counties over pay raise and allowances. Even until the time this article is published, some of the nurses are yet to report back. This plan and consensus by the state and county governments is aimed at ending the yearly strikes that have paralyzed offering services in the public hospitals .

Mid last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta, after meeting CoG officials, directed the nurses to report to work. He ordered the Health ministry and the county governments to fire defiant nurses.

The President met the governors ahead of the devolution conference, which begins in Kirinyaga today.

Kariuki and Oparanya said the national government, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, will review the law to identify existing gaps within the healthcare systems at both levels.

The PSC will develop and issue guidelines for the management of human resources.