SEVENTY four nurses from Kilifi county have refused to pick dismissal letters issued by the public service commission for engaging in the nurses' strike.

Kilifi County National Nurses Association of Kenya chairperson Pauline Masha said 74 nurses have been issued with dismissal letters, but have not yet to pick them.

He was speaking to the press outside the Kilifi District Hospital after a peaceful demonstration yesterday.The nurses vowed to fight on until a clear return to work formula is worked out.

"We are aware there are 74 dismissal letters at the district medical officer's office but we will not be cowed and we will fight until our demands are met," said Masha. "We are perplexed why the 74 nurses were issued with the letters and not all of us. We have a right to voice our concerns and the government instead of intimidating us should address our concerns."

It is not clear how many nurses have been issued with the transfer letters.The nurses blamed MPs for not taking seriously their concerns and vowed not to vote during for them in the general election.

The nurses camped outside the Kilifi North IEBC offices for about five minutes chanting "no union registration no vote" and proceeded to call on the MPs to debate the matter in parliament.