KENYA NURSES’ STRIKE ENTERS SIXTH WEEK AS THOUSANDS PREPARE TO HIT THE STREETS IN PROTEST IN NAIROBI
Kenya’s nurses and midwives remain on strike as the dispute over the 2017 CBA, pay, promotions and working conditions continues. Thousands are expected to march in Nairobi as pressure mounts for a resolution.
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Nurses and midwives across Kenya are continuing their nationwide strike as the standoff between the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) and county governments remains unresolved.
The industrial action, which began on July 29, 2026, is centred on demands including the implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), improved working conditions, pay-related concerns and career progression. Negotiations between the union and the Council of Governors have so far failed to produce an agreement acceptable to the nurses.
Thousands expected in Nairobi
As the strike enters its sixth week, KNUNM has organised a major procession in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 8.
The union notified the Inspector General of Police of plans to mobilise approximately 9,400 nurses and midwives, with about 200 representatives expected from each of Kenya's 47 counties.
The procession is scheduled to begin at Green Park at 9:00 a.m. Participants are expected to proceed along Waiyaki Way to Delta House, the headquarters of the Council of Governors, where they intend to present their grievances to the organisation's leadership before returning to Green Park.
KNUNM Secretary General Seth Panyako signed the notification to police requesting security during the procession.
2017 CBA remains at the centre of dispute
The implementation of the 2017 CBA remains one of the major sticking points in the dispute.
The nurses' union has maintained that it will not call off the strike until there is a satisfactory agreement on the outstanding issues. The dispute has continued despite negotiations with county governments.
The Council of Governors plays a key role in the dispute because county governments are responsible for the employment and management of most nurses working in devolved public health facilities.
Public health services affected
The prolonged industrial action has raised concerns about the ability of public hospitals and health centres to provide essential services.
Health professional organisations have warned that the continued absence of nurses is placing additional pressure on health facilities and patients, particularly those seeking maternal and neonatal care. The Kenya News Agency reported concerns from health professionals over deaths recorded during the prolonged strike.
The dispute has also attracted concern from other health-sector organisations, with calls for the government and health workers' representatives to find a lasting solution to the impasse.
Strike continues
For now, nurses and midwives remain on strike as they push for their outstanding grievances to be addressed.
Today's planned Nairobi procession is expected to increase pressure on the Council of Governors and the national government to resolve the dispute and restore normal operations in public health facilities.
Until an agreement is reached between the union and the relevant authorities, the nationwide nurses' strike remains ongoing.
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Written by Anne Moses
Reporter and staff writer at Getembe News.
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