The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has issued a seven-day nationwide strike notice, warning that nurses across all counties will withdraw their services if the government fails to fully implement the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The strike notice, issued by KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako, signals a possible major disruption to public healthcare services if the long-standing grievances raised by nurses are not urgently addressed. The union says nurses have waited for years as successive promises by both the national and county governments remain unfulfilled.
Long-Delayed 2017 CBA at the Centre of Dispute
At the heart of the looming nurses strike in Kenya is the stalled implementation of the 2017 CBA, which outlines improved salaries, allowances, and working conditions for nurses employed in public health facilities.
According to Panyako, the union has engaged government institutions repeatedly over the years, but little progress has been made. He said the continued delays have left nurses frustrated, demoralised, and financially strained.
“The government committed itself to the implementation of the CBA, but years later, nurses are still waiting. This is unacceptable,” Panyako said.
The union insists that recommendations issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) must be implemented in full and without alterations by either the national government or county administrations.
Demand for Harmonised Salaries and Allowances
KNUN is demanding the harmonisation of nurses’ salaries and allowances in line with SRC advisories and official circulars. The union argues that disparities in pay across counties have created inequality among nurses performing similar duties.
Among the allowances listed in the strike notice are:
- Risk allowance
- Extraneous allowance
- Uniform allowance
- Commuter allowance
- Any other benefits provided for under the 2017 CBA
The union says failure to pay these negotiated allowances amounts to a breach of the agreement and undermines nurses’ welfare, especially given the high-risk nature of their work.
UHC Nurses Want Permanent Employment
Another major issue driving the potential nurses strike in Kenya is the status of nurses hired under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.
KNUN is demanding the immediate absorption of all UHC nurses into permanent and pensionable terms. Many of these nurses have been working on short-term contracts for years, despite providing essential services in public hospitals.
According to the union, UHC nurses face job insecurity, delayed salaries, and lack access to benefits enjoyed by permanently employed staff, yet they shoulder the same workload.
“The continued casualisation of nurses under UHC is unfair and demotivating,” the union said.
Salary Arrears and Arbitrary Transfers
The strike notice also highlights the issue of pending salary arrears owed to nurses in several counties. KNUN says some nurses have gone for months without full pay, worsening their financial hardships amid rising living costs.
In addition, the union is calling for clear and standardised deployment and transfer guidelines to stop what it terms as arbitrary postings. Nurses have complained of abrupt transfers without consultation, sometimes used as a form of punishment for union activities.
The union argues that such practices violate labour rights and disrupt healthcare delivery in affected facilities.
Poor Working Conditions Raise Safety Concerns
Working conditions in public health facilities remain a major concern for nurses. KNUN is demanding adequate staffing levels to address chronic shortages that have overstretched healthcare workers across the country.
The union says many nurses are forced to work long hours without sufficient rest, increasing the risk of burnout, medical errors, and compromised patient care.
Other demands include:
- Provision of comprehensive medical insurance cover for nurses
- Safe and dignified working environments
- Access to training and study leave as provided for in the CBA
According to KNUN, investing in nurses’ welfare is critical to improving healthcare outcomes nationwide.
Call for Government and Governors to Intervene
In its statement, the union appealed to key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors, to intervene urgently and engage nurses constructively.
“We appeal to all stakeholders to bring these matters to an amicable and sustainable resolution for the benefit of the Kenyan public and the health sector at large,” the statement read.
Health is a devolved function, meaning county governments play a central role in employing and managing nurses. KNUN says meaningful engagement from both levels of government is necessary to avert a crisis.
Nationwide Strike Could Paralyse Public Hospitals
Panyako warned that failure to address all the listed issues within the seven-day notice period would trigger a nationwide nurses strike involving all 47 counties.
If the strike proceeds, public hospitals and health centres could be paralysed, leaving millions of Kenyans without access to essential services such as emergency care, maternity services, and outpatient treatment.
Kenya has previously experienced prolonged nurses’ strikes, some lasting months, which severely affected patients relying on public healthcare facilities.
Pressure Mounts as Deadline Approaches
As the countdown begins, pressure is mounting on the government to act swiftly and prevent another healthcare shutdown. Labour experts warn that ignoring nurses’ demands could deepen tensions and further strain an already stretched health system.
With nurses forming the backbone of healthcare delivery in Kenya, observers say resolving the dispute through dialogue remains the best option to safeguard both workers’ rights and public health.
For now, Kenyans wait anxiously as talks are expected to intensify ahead of the looming strike deadline.