Kenya nurses strike despite mass dismissals

The Kenyan government seriously escalated a public sector health strike by sacking more than 25,000 strikers on Friday of last week.

Managers told all striking workers to return to work or face summary dismissal. This is despite workers having a constitutional right to strike.

Thousands of strikers marched through the east African country’s capital Nairobi on Saturday to show their defiance.

Alex Orina, a spokesperson for strikers said the dismissals were “cat and mouse games”. He added, “You cannot sack an entire workforce. Our strike continues until our demands are met.”

The sacking came after seven days of strikes by health workers demanding better conditions.

Health workers are not providing cover. Kenya’s public hospital system has been brought to a standstill.

The strike was continuing as Socialist Worker went to press.