Fresh crisis for Ruto as nurses declare nationwide strike

The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives on Friday issued a 30-day strike notice. citing failure by the government to honour their pay agreement.

They also cited deplorable working conditions.

The union’s general secretary Seth Panyako said the government had shown “blatant disregard” for healthcare workers’ welfare.

He said nurses would strike and completely paralyse healthcare provision in all public hospitals from August 3.

The strike was initially scheduled to begin on July 7 but was moved by a month after the Labour ministry appointed a conciliator to bring the two sides together.

“Should the dispute remain unresolved within stipulated timelines, nurses will commence the strike on August 3 and shall remain on strike until their issues have been fully addressed,” Panyako said.

“We reiterate our commitment to the conciliation process in good faith in the hope that the dispute will be resolved amicably within the extended period.”

Panyako spoke after the union’s National Advisory Council’s meeting, which ratified the strike decision.

The looming strike could cripple services in public hospitals, where nurses form the backbone of healthcare delivery, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Patients are expected to bear the brunt as routine care, maternal services and emergency responses face imminent disruption.

The nurses’ strike threat comes amid an ongoing doctors' strike affecting counties like Kiambu, Marsabit and Kakamega. 

This wave of labour unrest is already straining the public healthcare system, particularly for vulnerable groups such as expectant mothers, children and those with chronic conditions.

The union outlined multiple unresolved issues, some of which have lingered since 2017.

They include failure to convert Universal Health Coverage nurses from contract to permanent and pensionable terms.

Another issue is non-implementation of the 2024 salary structure as advised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

The union also cited failure to implement the Return-to-Work Formula agreed on November 2, 2017.

It further noted delays by county governments in concluding Collective Bargaining Agreements, and lack of budget transfers to institutions like Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The union’s strike notice was addressed to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Service, Public Service Commission, Kenyatta National Hospital and the newly formed Social Health Authority.

While the Ministry of Health had earlier committed to addressing some of these concerns, recent statements from Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale have cast doubt on the government's ability to fulfil its promises.

On April 1, Duale pledged to resolve employment concerns affecting healthcare workers under the UHC programme within three weeks.

However, on May 17, he admitted that the ministry lacks sufficient funds to hire UHC nurses on PnP terms, stating that only Sh3.5 billion is available, which is enough only for contract-based employment.

UHC workers, many recruited in May 2020, have long voiced complaints over discrimination, denial of allowances, unpaid gratuities and lack of career progression.

These grievances that have remained unresolved despite repeated government assurances.

The union maintains it is willing to engage in constructive dialogue, but insists that action is now needed, not more promises.

"The ball is in the government’s court,” Panyako said.