NAIROBI, Kenya — Nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have gone on strike, citing a range of grievances including poor working conditions, delayed allowances, and staffing shortages.
The health workers, who addressed the press, said their decision to down tools was driven by long-standing concerns over non-payment of uniform allowances and arrears, inadequate medical cover, and persistent understaffing that has strained service delivery.
The strike at the country’s largest referral and teaching hospital raises concerns over the disruption of critical healthcare services, particularly for patients who depend on specialised treatment at the facility.
In response, Acting KNH Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe sought to reassure staff and the public that the issues are being addressed through ongoing consultations.
“The Hospital Management wishes to assure staff, patients, and the public that the issues highlighted primarily relate to remittance timelines for statutory and third-party deductions, as well as broader staff welfare matters,” Lesiyampe said in a statement.
He added that the concerns are being handled through institutional engagement involving the hospital, relevant government agencies, and staff representatives.
Lesiyampe confirmed that salaries have been paid up to March 2026 and explained that remittances for statutory and third-party deductions are processed under structured arrangements tied to the hospital’s cash flow and reimbursement cycles.
On pension contributions, he said the hospital continues to operate within established frameworks to meet both employer and employee obligations.
The CEO also noted progress in staffing reforms, saying a significant number of nurses and healthcare workers have already transitioned to Permanent and Pensionable terms, with further discussions ongoing to address remaining cases.
Despite these assurances, the nurses maintain that working conditions and welfare issues must be urgently resolved, warning that service delivery could continue to suffer if the concerns are not addressed.
Hospital management has called for continued dialogue and cooperation, emphasising its commitment to uninterrupted healthcare services.
“As the country’s largest national referral and teaching hospital, KNH remains fully committed to the uninterrupted provision of specialised healthcare services,” Lesiyampe said.
