Uhuru orders nurses on strike to resume work by Friday morning

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered nurses to go back to work by 8 a.m. Friday morning or risk losing their jobs.

Speaking during an address from State House, the president relayed that he had reached the decision following a meeting with the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors.

"All nurses should resume duty with effect and in any case not later than Friday February 15 at 8 am.

President Uhuru Kenyatta orders nurses to report to work by Friday morning Pulse Live Kenya

"As the Commander-in-chief I have instructed the National Police Service to take stern action against any picketer who may intimidate or otherwise harass those public servants who intend to go to work," the president declared.

He went on to outline that the county governments had spent 87.3% of their entire budgets on recurrent expenditure and only 12.7 % was availed for development.

President Kenyatta condemned the situation stating that it was neither the object of devolution nor desirable.

Tough order to nurses

"It is clearly disheartening to learn that some of our nurses have decided to engage in unlawful withdrawal of their labour against the determination of the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako addressing the media Pulse Live Kenya

"No one is above the law. Obeying court orders is not optional and it is a requirement of all of us no matter their status in society," the president stated.

The nurses strike kicked off in 11 counties on Monday as the nurses demanded for the governments to honour a Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in November 2017.