# Kenya nationwide nurses strike

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kenya-nationwide-nurses-strike
> Updated: 2026-09-08T19:08:29.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 4.

A nationwide strike by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has significantly disrupted public healthcare services, particularly maternity and neonatal care. The industrial action, which began in late July, has lasted over a month, forcing many patients to seek expensive private or mission hospital alternatives as county-level facilities face paralysis.

The union’s primary grievances include the implementation of the 2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the 2025–2029 CBA, and the permanent absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers into the workforce. While some progress was noted regarding UHC staff following a presidential pledge, the union reported that implementation is stalled as they await letters of no objection from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

In response to the ongoing disruption, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called upon the Council of Governors and the SRC to resolve the dispute. Although the Council of Governors expressed a willingness to negotiate, officials noted that the strike continues despite a court ruling declaring the industrial action illegal.

As the strike exceeds six weeks, the deadlock has paralyzed public hospitals across most of Kenya’s 47 counties. This prolonged action has led to a severe escalation in maternal and newborn deaths, with ten counties, including Nairobi, reporting the highest numbers. 

The crisis has intensified as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government. Doctors have threatened to join the walkout, stating they are becoming “overburdened” and cannot safely substitute for specialized nursing care.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Kenya doctors threaten strike to support nurses' industrial action

Kenyan doctors have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government to resolve a six-week nurses' strike, warning of a total shutdown of public health services if demands for a 2017 pay agreement are not met.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenya-doctors-threaten-strike-to-support-nurses-industrial-action

### 2026-09-04: Kenya healthcare services crippled by prolonged nurses' strike

A 40-day nurses' strike in Kenya has crippled public health services, leading to a rise in maternal and newborn deaths amid deadlocks over salary adjustments and collective bargaining agreements.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenya-healthcare-services-crippled-by-prolonged-nurses-strike

### 2026-08-31: Kenya Deputy President urges resolution of nationwide nurses' strike

Kenya's Deputy President has urged the Council of Governors and the SRC to resolve a 34-day nurses' strike that is disrupting healthcare services nationwide.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenya-deputy-president-urges-resolution-of-nationwide-nurses-strike

### 2026-08-26: Kenya nurses' strike enters fourth week, disrupting maternity services

A four-week nurses' strike in Kenya is disrupting public health services, particularly maternity and child care, as unions demand better pay and the implementation of collective bargaining agreements.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenya-nurses-strike-enters-fourth-week-disrupting-maternity-services

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Cite as: Kenya nationwide nurses strike. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kenya-nationwide-nurses-strike