KNH Workers down their tools as strike kicks off

Mumbi Mutuko

September 9, 2019 10:35 AM

KNH strike

KNH Workers strike kicks off

Workers at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) said they will be downing their tools on Monday as their strike begins.

The strike will take effect despite a move by the KNH management to comply with one of the demands tabled by the union on house allowances when the strike notice was issued on August 21.

Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions and Hospital Workers (Kudheiha) called for the strike after the expiry of a 14-day notice to push for higher pay.

KNH Workers strike kicks off Pulse Live Kenya

Kudheiha is demanding the implementation of resolutions from the State Corporation Advisory Committee that upgraded the hospital’s parastatal status from 3C to 7A.

Top Management

According to Kudheiha Secretary General Albert Njeru, only the hospital's top management have benefitted from the upgrade.

"Only the hospital chief executive officer and senior management who benefited. Is KNH being run by the management alone?” Njeru asked.

“We are committed to serving Kenyans but the terms and conditions of the workers should be improved,” he said.

Allowances

The strike will hit both medical and non-medical staff as long as they are employed by the hospital, despite union affiliation, according to Njeru.