The Kenya National Union of Nurses has issued a seven-day nationwide strike notice, warning of an imminent work stoppage if the government fails to act on long-standing commitments under the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
In the notice, union Secretary General Seth Panyako said nurses have endured years of unmet promises despite continuous talks with government agencies and repeated assurances that the agreement would be honoured.
He said the prolonged delay has taken a toll on morale across the profession, leaving many nurses feeling ignored and undervalued.
Panyako insisted that the government must fully implement the recommendations issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission without changes, noting that partial application of the CBA has worsened pay disparities and working conditions within the public health sector.
According to the strike notice, the union is demanding the full and unconditional implementation of the 2017 CBA, including harmonised salaries and allowances for nurses in line with SRC advisories and circulars.
The union said all negotiated allowances must be paid as agreed, including risk allowance, extraneous allowance, uniform allowance, commuter allowance, and any other benefits captured in the agreement.
The nurses are also calling for the absorption of all nurses hired under the Universal Health Coverage programme into permanent and pensionable positions.
In addition, the union wants all pending salary arrears settled and clear deployment and transfer guidelines enforced to end arbitrary postings that disrupt service delivery and family life.
Concerns over working conditions also feature prominently in the notice. The union is demanding adequate staffing levels in public health facilities, medical insurance cover for nurses, safe working environments, and access to training and study leave as provided for in the CBA.
“We appeal to all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors, to intervene constructively and bring these matters to an amicable and sustainable resolution for the benefit of the Kenyan public and the health sector at large,” the statement read in part.
Panyako warned that failure by the government to resolve all the listed issues within the seven-day notice period would trigger a nationwide strike involving nurses in all counties. He said such action would disrupt services in public hospitals across the country, placing further strain on an already stretched health system.
