NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyans have been warned to brace for major disruptions in public healthcare services after the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) issued a seven-day strike notice, announcing plans for a nationwide strike starting January 23 if the government fails to implement the long-standing 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 17, the union said the return-to-work agreement signed on November 2, 2017, remains largely unimplemented, despite seven years of negotiations and follow-ups with national and county governments.
Key provisions of the agreement included progressive enhancement of service allowance, risk allowance, and the conclusion and signing of CBAs across all counties.
“The government has partially honoured the agreed terms, and this partial implementation has led to significant disharmony in nurses’ benefits and remuneration across the public sector,” the union said.
It added that partial implementation amounts to a breach of a binding industrial relations settlement and has eroded trust between nurses and the government.
UHC nurses and SRC pay structure
The union also faulted President William Ruto’s administration for failing to convert Universal Health Coverage (UHC) nurses to permanent and pensionable terms, despite repeated commitments.
Additionally, KNUN accused county governments of ignoring the 2024/2025 Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) salary structures, which took effect on July 1, 2024.
“County Governments have failed or refused to implement these adjustments, resulting in unlawful underpayment and breach of statutory remuneration obligations,” the union claimed.
Mathari Hospital funding concerns
Nurses further raised concerns over the failure by the Ministry of Health to remit budgetary allocations and grants to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, saying the delays have crippled operations and worsened working conditions.
According to the union, failure to release funds has constrained service delivery at the national referral mental health facility.
Staffing shortages and patient safety
The union also highlighted persistent nursing staff shortages in public hospitals, warning that excessive workloads have led to burnout and compromised patient safety.
“The shortage of nurses remains unresolved, leading to excessive workloads, burnout, and compromised patient safety,” the union said.
It warned that failure to provide a clear roadmap for implementation within seven days would trigger full-scale nationwide industrial action.
The ultimatum comes against the backdrop of an ongoing strike by nurses, clinical officers, and laboratory technicians in Nairobi County, sparked by alleged salary delays and poor pay.
Health workers have claimed that some hospitals have been forced to divert funds meant for medical supplies to settle wage bills.
However, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration has declared the strike illegal and, on Thursday, January 15, ordered health workers to resume duty within 12 hours or face disciplinary action.
With the seven-day deadline now running, attention turns to whether the national government and counties will intervene to avert a nationwide healthcare shutdown.
