Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has announced that the county government will immediately recruit more than 500 nurses on contract to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services following a nationwide strike notice issued by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN).

Speaking during a press briefing at his office on Thursday evening, Nassir assured residents that public health facilities across the county will remain operational regardless of the planned industrial action.

“There shall be no disruption of healthcare services in Mombasa,” the governor said.

“The County Government’s foremost responsibility is to protect life and guarantee the continuous delivery of essential services. I have therefore directed the County Public Service Board to immediately commence the recruitment of over 500 nurses on contract to ensure that healthcare services remain uninterrupted for the people of Mombasa.”

Nassir described the strike notice as premature, noting that parties to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are still engaged in discussions aimed at resolving the outstanding issues.

“In my view, the strike notice is premature because the parties to the Collective Bargaining Agreement remain actively engaged in discussions. I remain hopeful that these engagements will yield an amicable solution that serves the best interests of both healthcare workers and the public,” he said.

The governor appealed to nurses in Mombasa to continue serving residents while negotiations continue, citing the constructive relationship the county government has maintained with healthcare workers over the years.

“I therefore appeal to our nurses in Mombasa, in the spirit of the constructive partnership we have built over the years, to continue serving our people as these discussions continue. We value your service and remain committed to addressing legitimate concerns through dialogue and the appropriate legal and institutional processes.”

Nassir, who also chairs the Council of Governors Health Committee, said county governments are pursuing legal intervention over the strike notice, arguing that several of the issues raised by the union are still under discussion or fall outside the direct mandate of individual counties.

He also revealed that the county had received isolated reports of individuals attempting to intimidate healthcare workers and discourage patients from seeking treatment at public health facilities.

“We have received isolated reports of individuals attempting to intimidate healthcare workers and chase patients away from our health facilities. Such actions are unacceptable, undermine the constitutional right of residents to access healthcare, and will not be tolerated.”

The governor emphasized that the decision to recruit additional nurses was intended solely to guarantee uninterrupted healthcare services and should not be viewed as punitive.

“This is not a punitive measure against any healthcare worker. It is a necessary intervention to ensure that residents continue receiving essential healthcare services while the matter is being addressed through dialogue and the courts.”

He reiterated that no patient would be denied treatment in Mombasa because of the planned industrial action.

“Our commitment remains unwavering. No patient will be turned away, no hospital will be closed, and every resident who walks into a public health facility in Mombasa will continue to receive the care they need.”

The Kenya National Union of Nurses has issued a nationwide strike notice citing unresolved issues, including the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the 2017 Return-to-Work Formula, career progression guidelines, the absorption of Universal Health Coverage nurses, and other labour-related concerns.

County governments, through the Council of Governors, have indicated they will seek legal redress while negotiations continue in an effort to avert the planned industrial action.