George Kebaso @Morarak
More than 300 nurses at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are up in arms against the management over poor working conditions.
The nurses are now threatening to quit unless the management improves the working environment at the East Africa’s largest referral hospital.
They are complaining for reportedly being underpaid, overworked, paid salaries lateand forced to work in six-month contracts.
Their current six-month contract expires on July 31.Some of the nurses who spoke to People Daily on condition of anonymity want the management to address the issues urgently.
“For instance, we received our salaries for May in the last week of June and we are not sure when we will be paid the June dues.
I visited the National Hospital Insurance Fund to check whether my deductions have been forwarded, but to my surprise, the hospital has not done that since March,” one of the employees said.
He said while at the NHIF, he was advised to return next week to find out whether the hospital has made the payments.
However, in response, KNH Assistant Corporate Affairs Manager Hezekiah Gikambi rubbished the claims, saying he was not aware of any salary delay and instead referred us to the Finance department for confirmation.
Salary delays
“I am not aware of any salary delay while on NHIF, you know very well that it is a finance issue. If you call me tomorrow, I will be able to furnish you with sufficient information. Are the nurses on full time or temporary employment?” asked Gikambi.
He said the nurses had an opportunity last week to discuss with the acting Chief Executive Officer Evanson Kamuri during the CEO’s forum any complaint they had.
But one of the nurses, who spoke on condition of anonymity said the CEO was non-committal. “We have called for several meetings to share these issues with the top management, but they are not honouring them,” he added.
Gikambi also dismissed allegations there were nurses who were being irregularly hired by the hospital.
He said the hospital’s employment procedures were so stringent that no one can take a shortcut.
He promised to get back last week with a comprehensive response to the allegations, but he did not.
