Nurses demonstrate in the past. Nakuru county will hire 300 nurses to replace those striking. Photo/Star.)
Nakuru county government has announced plans to hire 300 nurses starting next week to replace those currently on strike.
Addressing the press on Thursday when he visited Naivasha sub-county hospital, governor Lee Kinyanjui said his adminstration will not watch patients suffering as nurses' strike paralyze operations at the health facilities.
"We will advertise 300 positions of nurses in the county as we continue with negotiations with the striking team," said Kinyanjui.
He threatened that striking nurses will be removed from the county's payroll if they do not resume work.
Kinyanjui said the new recruitment will follow a legal procedure.
He regretted that some health facilities in rural areas have been closed due to the ongoing strike.
Kinyanjui assured that the county will allocate more funds to Naivasha sub-county hospital, provide good equipment and specialised staff to help deliver quality services.
"The hospital management is doing wonders despite the ongoing strike. Other facilities should copy a leaf", he said.
Dr Joseph Mburu, the superintendent in charge at the facility said they are operating at a 40% capacity as nurses and clinical officers are on strike.
"We are giving services despite the strike. The number of patients has dropped from 300 to 120 per day", he said.