A furious President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday accused striking nurses of blackmail, adding that they must resume work.
Addressing opinion leaders selected from both Nyamira and Kisii Counties at Kisii School, Uhuru warned that his government will not 'tolerate defiance' from the health workers.
"If the president, his deputy, MPs, governors and MCAs demand for pay hike, where will all these money come from? Let us be realistic. Our economy isn't yet on track. Let us be patriotic and serve our people," Uhuru told nurses.
Despite his directive to nurses to resume duty last week, many of them are yet to obey the orders. Health services remain largely paralysed across the country.
Nyamira Health Minister Douglas Bosire, who is also Secretary General of all county health ministers in Kenya, said he's hopeful that nurses will resume work soon.
"We have been burning midnight oil to restore order. Actually, many nurses are on duty. For instance, in Nyamira and some 20 other counties, everything is smooth," Bosire said.
At the Kisii function on Wednesday, ODM leader Raila Odinga, who also addressed Kisii and Nyamira leaders, asked the striking nurses to get back to work.
According to Mr Odinga, the country was unable to increase their salaries due to ongoing infrastructural development.
"All these money is obtained from a single kitty. When we advance such demands, we must also put into consideration the number of projects being undertaken," he said.
Throughout Nyanza region, only Kisumu County nurses are on strike with five other counties having operations running smoothly.
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