Nurses to strike over delayed permanent hiring under UHC

A health crisis is looming in the country after the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) on Tuesday threatened to join a doctors' strike over unmet promises.

KNUN Secretary General (SG) Seth Panyako said the national and county governments have failed to employ Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff on permanent terms.

"We held a meeting with CS Duale, and the least we expected from him was that the government had allocated Sh3.5 billion for the absorption of UHC staff on 1st July, but we were shocked when he told us we should wait until the next financial year of 2026/2027," said Panyako.

Speaking in Kakamega, Panyako accused President William Ruto of neglecting UHC nurses and staff by failing to allocate money to absorb them.

"We have never gone on strike as nurses since the coming into power of this government, and we are tired of unkept promises. We have declared war, and I know the National Governing Council will allow me to issue a nationwide strike," said Panyako.

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He added, "When I look at the 2025/2026 financial year budget, I get shocked. The president has been given Sh12.5 billion, and out of it, Sh2.5 billion is for State House renovation, and yet 8,700 UHC nurses only need Sh3.5 billion to be fully absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms."

The outspoken SG asked the head of state to direct Sh3.5 billion from his budget if he is serious about implementing the UHC programme.

"If the president is genuine with his call on having a successful UHC, he should do it by action and direct Sh3.5 billion from his budget to nurses. It is so sad that he has a lot of money for premature campaigns but not for the health sector," said Panyako.

Panyako said the upcoming strike has also been ignited by the failure of the national government and county governments to implement the 2017 return-to-work formula.

"The issue of the return-to-work formula of 2017 has not been implemented by most of the government agencies, including county governments. The only government entity that has implemented the return-to-work formula is the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and we are asking the council of governors to comply before we issue our nationwide strike," said Panyako.

Already, some counties are experiencing a health crisis caused by a doctors' strike.

Kakamega County is the most affected county after doctors, including those on short-term contracts, commenced a strike on Monday last week, with no admission of patients going on.

At Kakamega County General Hospital, patients had little choice but to seek medical care at private facilities, while others left without receiving treatment. Most public health centres operated with minimal activity, as critical services were halted due to the absence of doctors.

Peter Ajevi, a resident who had brought his brother for a scheduled appointment, expressed frustration at being unable to see a doctor.

“I had no choice but to return home and find another way to get him treatment because he’s in pain. We urge the county government to step in and meet the doctors’ demands so our people can continue receiving quality healthcare,” he said.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has accused Kakamega County’s government of failing to honour the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which outlines fair employment terms and improved working conditions for medical professionals.

Speaking at the union’s Western Branch Annual General Meeting in Kakamega a week ago, KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said the strike, now in its third week, stems from years of systemic neglect.

“Doctors have gone seven years without promotions. Statutory deductions are not being remitted; many are on exploitative locum contracts earning less than a third of CBA rates, and they lack medical insurance,” said Dr Atellah.

He warned that the situation in Kakamega is deteriorating, revealing that over 11 doctors have resigned in recent months due to a lack of essential drugs, emergency equipment, and poor working conditions.

The union is currently in dispute with 18 counties and has vowed that the strike in Kakamega will continue until the county honours the return-to-work agreements and fully implements the 2017 CBA. “Our fight is for dignity, justice, and the full implementation of the CBA,” Dr Atellah declared.

Western Branch Secretary Sande Charo affirmed that local doctors are united in their stance. “We stand in full solidarity with our colleagues in Kakamega. The county must act and respect the rights of health workers,” said Charo.