Luke K'odambo Chairman of NNAK talks in his office

NAIROBI-AHIC 2nd OCTOBER 2008-Nurses will converge between 7th & 9th October this year, at Masinde Muliro University for their annual general meeting. One of the main agenda for the AGM is voting in leaders of National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) for a term of three years .But as the organizers finish up on the last the touches of the meeting, it is emerging that Kenyan nurses have confidence in the current leadership of the association.

Past Officials have faced stiff competition during the years of election but talking to Mr. Luke Simba Kodambo, Chairman NNAK he had a different story to tell about the current leadership of NNAK. For the first time in the history of the association they are going into the AGM unopposed despite the association boasting of a membership of over 12,000 nurses spread across the country. He said that, “In a period of less than 3 years we have transformed the association into a functional and vibrant body .We have  managed to computerized all our operations ,developed a data system that with a click of a button one can confirm who is a member of NNAK online .” Apart from the chairman the current officials include Mr.Fredrick Osundwa 1^st Vice Chairman, Mr.Julius Muema 2^nd Vice Chairman ,Mr. Fredrick Omiah as Secretary ,Jane Raburu 2^nd Secretary & Vice Treasurer and Jeremiah Maina as Treasurer

This years AGM theme is, “Strengthening nursing & Midwifery to respond to maternal & child health challenges by 2015” .The meeting will also be  celebrating 50 years of existence for the nurses association. Mr. Simba went on to say that,” Within the short time that we have been in the office ,the association has managed to purchase a vehicle and build a modern administration block that was officially opened by Public health minister ,Hon.Beth Mugo”.  The association has a registered a nurses’ investment company that allows members to purchase shares that will go towards the financing the construction of an ultra-modern complex next to the administration office.

The association has entered into partnership with both regional and international bodies which has greatly boosted its profile. With one of the partners, NNAK has come up with a Girl Child education fund which sponsors the education of   female children of a deceased member upto the age of 18 years.  It has also set up a benevolent fund that gives out Ksh.10, 000 to the family for burial arrangements incase of death of a member.

Mr. Simba commented that as an association it faces frustration from its main employer, the government, by it not responding to issues affecting the nurses as fast as it should .This has partly contributed to a mass exodus of nurses to western countries where they are in high demand and well remunerated. The nurses are anxiously waiting to hear from the minister of medical services, Prof. Anyang Nyong’o   on their grievances already presented to him. He will be the guest of honour at this year NNAK AGM.