Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has assured striking nurses that the county government is ready to hold talks with them to resolve their grievances and restore health services.
Speaking in Kithimani, Yatta Subcounty, Mwangangi emphasized the importance of dialogue, saying the county is committed to reaching a working agreement with medical officers.
“To our unionists, whether nurses, doctors, or clinical officers, please let us mind our county. We are ready to negotiate and talk. Do not close the door to negotiations,” said Mwangangi.
He stressed that continued industrial action is hurting the county’s health sector and appealed for goodwill from both sides.
“It is very important we talk because when industrial actions continue, they derail our health sector. On our side, we have a clean heart and we are coming to negotiate with clean hands,” he added.
The Deputy Governor also urged union leaders to keep politics out of the matter to ensure residents do not continue to suffer.
“My humble request is that we cease involving politics in this issue so that our people do not keep suffering. The health sector is a major sector in a county,” he said.
Last week, Machakos County nurses staged protests over delayed promotions and other grievances, paralyzing health services across the county. Attempts by the county government to engage the nurses’ union in talks have so far failed to yield results.
