Court orders registration of nurses' union

Written By:Hallyghan Agade and Diana Okemwa,    Posted: Fri, Dec 28, 2012

The court ruled that the nurses have a constitutional right to go on strike Nurses can now breathe a sigh of relief after a Nairobi court ordered the immediate registration of the Kenya National Union of Nurses.  Industrial Court Judge Njagi Marete also ruled Friday that the nurses have a right to participate in a strike without victimization. In his ruling, Marete called on the government to engage the union in talks to end the impasse giving a seven day compliance. The Union's Secretary General Seth Panyako hailed the ruling terming it as justice to the nurses. He said the union is ready to hold dialogue with the government to address the nurse's grievances. His sentiments were echoed by the Unions Chairman Jophinus Musundi who said they will respect the court order. Last week, medical services Minister Proffessor Anyang Nyong'o told parliament that the striking nurses were abusing the right to industrial action since most of their demands including the allocation of extraneous allowances had been met. He also alleged that the union officials had not exhausted the procedures of registering a union. The striking nurses moved to court to block the Government from sacking or victimizing them and also push for the registration of their union, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (Knun). This is after Medical Services Minister Anyang' Nyong'o directed that the striking nurses be sacked, but the nurses vowed to continue with the strike until their demands are met.The minister said he had asked qualified nurses to apply for the jobs.   Last week, the National Labour Board declined to register the union saying nurses are "sufficiently represented" in other organizations.