By Nyakundi Bw’Otwere
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has yet again issued a 26-day strike notice, demanding immediate action from the national and county governments to address long-standing grievances.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Thursday, KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako announced that nurses across the country would begin a nationwide strike on July 7, 2025, unless their demands are met.
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At the heart of KNUN’s concerns is the employment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff on permanent and pensionable terms, a promise yet to be fulfilled.
Panyako also criticized county governments for failing to implement a salary increase recommended by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which was scheduled to take effect last year.
“We have waited patiently, but our concerns continue to be ignored. Nurses play a critical role in the success of UHC and the broader healthcare system,” Panyako said.
“It is unacceptable that they continue to work under insecure and unfair conditions.”
While KNUN has expressed willingness to engage in negotiations, the union insists that tangible action must precede any discussions if authorities wish to prevent the strike.
“KNUN is ready to engage in dialogue with the government to find an amicable solution. However, we are prepared to proceed with industrial action if there is no meaningful progress,” Panyako warned.
If the strike proceeds, healthcare services across the country, particularly in public hospitals, could be severely disrupted.
This latest strike threat follows a series of nurse-led industrial actions in Kenya.
Kajiado County nurses recently concluded a 55-day strike on April 29, 2025, after a return-to-work agreement was reached.
The strike, which began on February 28, involved over 650 nurses and midwives protesting salary arrears and poor working conditions.
In Uasin Gishu, nurses staged a withdrawal earlier this year, with KNUN announcing strike plans on January 13, 2025.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) nurses were engaged in a 15-day strike earlier in the year, later resuming work after the hospital administration pledged compliance with the Return to Work Formula.
The recurring strikes have raised concerns over healthcare service disruptions, with calls for authorities to address underlying systemic issues affecting nurses.
While nurse-led strikes continue to impact Kenya, labor unrest among healthcare workers is a global phenomenon.
For instance, the largest nursing strike in U.S. history took place in Minnesota in September 2022, involving approximately 15,000 nurses demanding better working conditions.
The strike, organized by the Minnesota Nurses Association, was part of a broader trend of employee activism in the healthcare sector.
