KNUNM Statement On Laikipia County Nurses Return To Work Agreement

This Return-to-Work Agreement is made on this day of 2025. Between The County Government of Laikipia (hereinafter referred to as "County"), on the one part; AND The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (hereinafter referred to as "KNUNM"), on the other part; (The County and the KNUNM hereinafter referred to as the "Parties" and each individually as a "Party") AND WHEREAS KNUNM vide the notice of Intended Industrial Action dated 9th April 2025, containing eleven (11) issues as listed herein; and the County vide a letter dated 5th May 2025 invited the KNUNM to a meeting on 6th January 2025 in the County Headquarters at Rumuruti starting at 9.00am; AND Acknowledging the outcome of the meeting between the representatives of the Parties.

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree on the resolution of issues raised by the strike notice dated 9th May 2025 as follows:

The issues were then discussed as raised and the way forward given as follows:

1. Refusal to Engage the Union on Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The County and KNUNM have agreed to form a CBA Negotiations Committee of fourteen (14) members. Each Party shall nominate seven (7) members. The Committee will be chaired by the Chairperson of the Laikipia County Public Service Board. The KNUNM will nominate a Co-Chair.

Each party will share the names of the members no later than two (2) weeks from the date of this Agreement. The first Committee meeting has been set for 19th May 2025 at County Headquarters from 9am. Thereafter, either Party can call for a meeting.

The Committee will work in liaison with the Council of Governors (CoG), and in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and other relevant national organs on the CBA.

Failure to Promote Nurses as Previously Promised.

It was agreed that the COUNTY puts an internal advertisement for the next batch of competitive promotions by 30th June 2025 and effects the promotions by 30th September 2025.

Failure to Re-Designate Specialized Nurses While Utilizing their Expertise

The COUNTY will adopt and implement the new Career Guidelines for Nursing Personnel once it has been released by the Public Service Commission and adopted by the Council of Governors.

Restricted access for services to some hospitals for Nurses in Job Groups "J" and below under Madison General Insurance

The County will communicate to Madison General Insurance to remove any restrictions to access services in the facilities of choice for all staff by, latest, 23rd May 2025.

Non-Remittance of Statutory and Third-Party Deductions

The COUNTY remits all deductions in the same month it receives the monthly Exchequer releases. The latest Exchequer release as of the date of this Agreement is for February 2025. The COUNTY shall endeavour to communicate to KNUN should the situation change.

Failure to Implement the New SRC Salary Structure for 2024

It was agreed that the matter will be interrogated and addressed by the just formed Laikipia County CBA Negotiation Committee.

Acute Shortage of Nurses

It was agreed that in addition to the other measures discussed in the Return-to-Work Agreement for 15th January 2025, the COUNTY will replace through an external recruitment all nurses who will have exited service after January 2025.

Failure to Convert UHC Nurses to Permanent and Pensionable Terms (and other nurses on unlawful contracts)

The COUNTY has released an indent primarily targeted for the absorption of Professional Casuals and USAID Tujenge Jamii (UTJ) staff. The COUNTY has already absorbed the staff formerly under County UHC contract in April 2025.

Failure to Implement the National Registered CBA for Seconded Nurses

It was agreed that the matter will be interrogated and addressed by the just formed Laikipia County CBA Negotiation Committee.

Failure to Implement the 17-tier grading structure for Nurses

It was agreed that the matter will be interrogated and addressed by the just formed Laikipia County CBA Negotiation Committee.

11. Lack of County Health Management Structure that establishes and recognizes Nursing as a directorate.

The matter was addressed in the RTWF signed on 15th January 2025. The staff establishment has been updated to accommodate the current Scheme of Service for Nurses up to the Designation of Director, Nursing Services through competitive promotion ascendance.

RETURN TO WORK FORMULA

1. The Union hereby calls-off the strike and all nurses resume duties within twenty-four (24) hours.

2. No victimisation from either Party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties, through their authorised officials hereby execute this agreement on 6th of May 2025.

Signed for an on behalf of the COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF LAIKIPIA

Name: Macharia Gakiri

Designation: CHAIR LAIKIPIA COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD

Name: Koinange Wahome

For Designation: COUNTY SECRETARY

Signed for an on behalf of the KNUNM

FOR Name: Seth Panyako

Designation: GENERAL SECRETARY, KNUNM

Name: Peter Ndiba

Designation: CHAIR KNUNM, Laikipia Branch