Revealed: Reasons Kenyan nurses seek for jobs abroad

By Robert Mutasi

The National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) has hit out at the Ministry of Health for neglecting nurses. 

NNAK says neglect is a major cause for Kenyan nurses looking for jobs abroad.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV, on Tuesday, the association's President Collins Ajwang also claimed that the government was not employing nurses based on the guidelines of a scheme of service.

According to Ajwang, the scheme is not favourable because some nurses have different qualifications and need to be given different positions. 

He has also emphasized that some nurses are seeking jobs outside the country due to numerous challenges facing the health sector in this country.

The nurses association President also complained about the Ministry of Health's alleged failure to support nurses.

"In Kenya, we have borne the burden of an ineffective health system. Nurses are suffering," said Ajwang.

The NNAK has also said the challenges facing them are discouraging nurses from working within the country.

He has mentioned the issue of the policy of compensation whereby nurses who have disabilities and those exposed to accidents and harsh conditions are not compensated. 

"I know there is a policy of compensation but the reporting and implementation have been a challenge so these things have demoralized nurses," said the NNAK president.

Among those challenges, NNAK has noted the disparities in health workers which resulted due to delays in employing nurses that are growing in numbers.

He has pointed out that counties are not employing nurses based on the right scheme.

The nurses association also accused the government of not investing in the health system, a move that has hampered the delivery of health services.

"Such things have made nurses look for employment in other countries and this is the major reason why nurses go abroad," he added. 

Data indicate that nearly 600 nurses migrate and leave the country annually to seek job opportunities abroad.