Resign or We Leave,” Disgruntled Nurses Tell KNUN SG Panyako, Accusing Him of Associating with UDA
Disgruntled Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) members have issued a harsh warning that unless their secretary general, Seth Panyako, resigns, the organization, which has over 20,000 members, will disband in large numbers.
They voiced unhappiness with Panyako’s leadership, claiming that he uses his position to pursue his own political goals.
Among their criticisms is his public campaign to become the next Member of Parliament for the Malava Constituency.
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They further accuse him of ignoring union elections for the last decade and associating himself with UDA as its ‘deputy chair’.
Mr. Alfred Obengo, President Emeritus of the National Nurses Association of Kenya and a senior member of KNUN, blasted Panyako in an exclusive interview with the Nation, adding, “Mr. Panyako has oppressed Kenyan nurses more than the government is doing.”
Obengo criticized Panyako for failing to fight for nurses’ rights in terms of collective bargaining agreements and wage and benefit increases.
Obengo also criticized Panyako for neglecting nursing interns and failing to protect their well-being, as well as other issues like nurses’ job conditions under Universal Healthcare Coverage during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Panyako denounced these charges as “mere rubbish” in a telephone interview with the Nation.
He denied allegations of mismanagement, claiming that the union functions within a set framework and questioning the integrity of those requesting his resignation.
Panyako highlighted that nurses are not subordinates and reaffirmed his commitment to their best interests. Panyako recognized the lack of elections in KNUN during the last decade but declared that elections will be held in 2026, with any issues settled via legal procedures.
Despite Panyako’s reaction, KNUN officials from several counties met at a Nairobi hotel to discuss their worries and plan for the future.
They selected Mr. Obengo as their spokesman and announced plans to form a new union that would focus on the concerns of Kenyan nurses.
Speaking anonymously, one official blasted Panyako for allegedly utilizing union money for personal advantage and promised to improve things.
The internal strife within KNUN reflects rising unhappiness among its members, leading to demands for leadership change and organizational restructure to better serve the interests of nurses throughout Kenya.
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Resign or We Leave,” Disgruntled Nurses Tell KNUN SG Panyako, Accusing Him of Associating with UDA
