Nurses in Homa Bay County have issued a formal strike notice, warning that they will withdraw services from Wednesday next week unless longstanding employment grievances are resolved. Union officials in the county say the decision follows months of unfulfilled commitments on promotions, delayed statutory remittances and persistent staff shortages that they argue are straining service delivery and morale.
According to local union leadership, an agreement reached about five months ago set out a framework for elevating hundreds of nurses to higher job groups. They report, however, that not a single promotion has been effected since that understanding was reached. A total of 386 nurses had been earmarked for advancement, reflecting years of accumulated experience and, in some cases, more than a decade without upward movement. The stalemate has become a flashpoint, with nurses contending that stalled career progression erodes motivation and contributes to attrition risks in already understaffed facilities.
Another core grievance concerns delayed remittance of statutory and third‑party deductions, including medical insurance contributions and loan repayments. Nurses say late payments trigger penalties from financial institutions and risk lapses in health coverage at moments when immediate access to care is essential. They emphasize that the unpredictability of these remittances creates financial anxiety and undermines trust in administrative systems that are supposed to safeguard employee welfare.
Staffing levels form the third pillar of the dispute. The nurses are calling for the recruitment of at least 150 additional colleagues to reduce workload pressure. They argue that current shortages lead to longer shifts, fatigue and the heightened possibility of clinical errors, while also slowing patient turnaround times in busy departments. The request for new hires is framed as both a workforce rights issue and a patient safety imperative.
Union representatives say the formal notice has been delivered to the county government, and they are awaiting an official response that will determine whether the strike proceeds. They stress that the action is intended to catalyze concrete remedies rather than disrupt care, but add that continued patience is no longer viable after repeated delays.
County health authorities indicate that the concerns are being addressed and that the promotion process is underway. Nurses, meanwhile, are pressing for verifiable timelines and documented implementation steps to avert the threatened work stoppage and restore confidence in agreed reform measures.
