Orengo orders immediate release of 9.8 million shillings owed to Siaya nurses

Siaya Governor James Orengo has ordered the immediate release of more than 9.8 million Kenyan shillings owed to nurses in the county for nearly three years.

Orengo said it was unfair to withhold two months’ wages from nurses for the period they participated in an industrial strike in 2021.

She noted that a return-to-work formula had been signed and that the Industrial and Labor Relations Court had ruled in favor of the nurses, making it clear that the county government must pay the outstanding dues.

The governor made the remarks at the county seat as he addressed nurses who had marched on his office to demand payment.

Earlier, nurses took to the streets to press for a solution to their demands. Their leaders participated in a closed-door meeting with the governor and top county officials.

Governor Orengo said his administration had no reason to continue withholding salaries. He then led a march with representatives of the nurses to the county treasury to instruct the finance department to begin the process of clearing the debts immediately.

Orengo also announced that his government will investigate the whereabouts of the funds that were set aside for arrears.

“The money was there in 2021. In the name of accountability, we need to determine where their money went,” he said. “If we want to stop this kind of thing, we need to know the reason why they did not receive their dues for almost three years.”

Regarding the recent “Occupy County Government” protests, Orengo accused United Democratic Alliance (UDA) operatives of exploiting Generation Z protesters to send thugs to intimidate counties led by Azimio la Umoja.

“Some people are trying to infiltrate the demonstrations,” he said, adding that he would not be intimidated by such acts.

Sylvester Ng’anda, executive secretary of the Kenya National Union of Nurses, Siaya branch, said nurses had reached a deadlock in the fight for their dues after the previous administration refused to comply with a return-to-work formula and a court order for payment.

Ng’anda praised Governor Orengo for taking the initiative to find a lasting solution.