Services at Kenyatta National Hospital are set to grind to a halt from Monday, April 13, 2026, after nurses announced a strike over delayed salaries, lack of pension payments, and years of being kept on temporary terms, escalating pressure on the country’s largest referral facility.
The strike notice was issued on Sunday by the Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako, who said repeated complaints by staff have not been addressed, leaving many workers frustrated and uncertain about their future.
Speaking to the media, Panyako pointed to financial strain at the hospital, saying it has affected employment conditions, with a section of nurses serving on casual arrangements for up to six years without confirmation.
“Kenyatta National Hospital does not have adequate funds,” he said, adding that the situation has led to a number of nurses remaining on casual terms for between four and six years, despite continuing to serve at the facility.
He further highlighted concerns over how salaries are handled, saying some nurses are unable to access their pay after banks hold onto it due to unremitted loan deductions, while statutory deductions have also not been processed as required.
“Nurses receive salaries, but banks retain the salaries because deductions on loans have not been remitted. Standard deductions have also not been remitted. Nurses and other health workers in Kenya are not getting pensions when they retire. I am also a pensioner at Kenyatta National Hospital. I retired early after I was dismissed for fighting for workers’ rights. So I said I would not go back to work again; I would venture into other areas. Right now, I am supposed to be receiving my pension, but I am being told there is no pension,” he said.
Panyako said nurses had reached their limit and resolved to withdraw their services, warning that the decision marks a turning point for the institution, which has not previously experienced a nurses’ strike.
“Therefore, tomorrow nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital are, for the first time, going on strike. Kenyatta National Hospital has never had a nurses’ strike, but nurses have given me clear direction that tomorrow there will be no work at Kenyatta National Hospital,” he said.
He maintained that the protest will continue until long-serving casual workers are absorbed into permanent positions and their concerns addressed.
“Enough is enough for our nurses and other health workers within Kenyatta National Hospital, until those nurses who have been on casual terms for between four and six years are properly addressed.“
The union also faulted the pay structure at the hospital, saying it is unfair for newly recruited staff to earn higher wages than nurses who have worked for years under insecure contracts.
“You cannot be hiring people from outside who come and earn more than those who have served you for six years. Is that fair? It is not fair. So we are saying tomorrow that must end,” he said.
The union warned that failure to resolve the dispute immediately will disrupt operations at the hospital.
