Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has directed the County Public Service Board to immediately begin recruiting up to 573 nurses to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services as the nationwide nurses' strike continues.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, Nassir argued that negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had already begun, saying the industrial action was premature while discussions were still ongoing.
He further noted that issues surrounding Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff and career progression guidelines were already being addressed through existing legal and intergovernmental processes.
The Governor said the Council of Governors would challenge the legality of the strike in court, arguing that several of the issues cited by the union were either already under negotiation or had previously been determined by the courts.
"The county governments will be going to court on this matter," he said.
At the county level, the governor appealed to nurses in Mombasa to return to work, saying the county had consistently maintained good relations with its health workers and remained committed to addressing their concerns.
He, however, warned that any attempts to intimidate healthcare workers or chase patients away from public hospitals would not be tolerated.
"We will respect the constitutional right of nurses to strike, but we cannot allow patients to be denied access to healthcare," Nassir said.
To cushion residents from disruptions, the governor instructed the County Public Service Board to immediately recruit up to 573 nurses.
"I'm told immediately there will be up to 573 new nurses recruited. Mombasa does not have a shortage of nurses, and we have many qualified applicants who can fill the vacancies," he said.
Nassir clarified that no nurse had been dismissed over the strike and pledged that those who return to work after the court process would continue serving as county employees.
"If the courts say the strike was illegal and they are meant to come back to work, they are my employees. I will not do anything to them and I welcome them back," he said.
The governor reiterated that protecting residents' access to healthcare remained the county government's top priority.
"There shall be no disruption of healthcare services in Mombasa. Every resident who walks into a public health facility must receive the care they need," he said.
