Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua at a past event. [Photo/nairobinews.nation.co.ke]
The Labour Court has barred Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua from firing striking nurses who failed to report to duty following an order by the Council of Governors. In his ruling at the Nyeri Labour and Employment Court, Justice Byram Ongaya ordered Mutua and other three other governors not to hire new nurses to replace the ones on strike.The other three governors are Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia), Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta) and Mwangi Wairia (Murang’a). The four governors had announced that they would hire another term of nurses after those on strike failed to report to work.“The respondents shall not undertake recruitment, selection, appointment or employment of other persons with a view of replacing the members still in employment,” said Justice Ongaya, as quoted by Nation.The nurses’ strike has paralysed services in different health centers across the country. Justice Ongaya asked the four governors to find a better way of resolving the matter.“The respondents should have taken the necessary steps to avert the ongoing strike rather than punishing the nurses who are participating in the strike,” he said.