[REVISION HISTORY]

Kenya nationwide nurses strike

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2026-09-04 21:58 UTC → 2026-09-08 21:58 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 ~~40 days,~~ 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 ~~significant fatalities reported in~~ ten counties, including Nairobi, ~~Kisumu, Nakuru, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Garissa. While~~ reporting the ~~union seeks salary adjustments~~ highest numbers. The crisis has intensified as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the ~~payment of pending arrears, counties claim~~ government. Doctors have threatened to join the walkout, stating they are becoming “overburdened” and cannot ~~meet financial demands estimated at Sh6 billion annually. The national government has faced criticism~~ safely substitute for ~~failing to intervene as effectively as it did during recent airport worker strikes.~~ specialized nursing care.

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