Nurses threaten to go on strike due to disagreements over wages and broken contract commitments
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has announced a nationwide strike set to commence at midnight on August 8, 2025. This industrial action comes as a result of unfulfilled Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) commitments and prolonged neglect by county governments.
The strike notice was formally issued on May 29, 2025, following years of alleged broken promises and continued disregard for healthcare workers' welfare. The union's frustration stems from the 2017 CBA that has not been fully implemented.
Nurses are protesting the non-remittance of third-party deductions such as loans and insurance premiums, unpaid benefits, unbearable workloads, and the failure of county governments to honor contract terms. In many health centers, one nurse is tasked with performing multiple roles, leading to extreme workloads and burnout.
Counties have been accused of evasiveness and dishonesty regarding the CBA implementation. Nurses are overworked, underpaid, and mentally drained, with some managing wards with 40 patients. The strike, referred to as the "mother of all strikes", threatens to cripple public healthcare facilities across the country.
UHC contract nurses hired during the Covid-19 pandemic are being neglected, adding to the growing discontent among the nursing cadre. The union has been moving in circles for eight years due to lack of political will from county executives and governors.
In an attempt to resolve the impasse, the Ministry of Labour appointed conciliators after KNUN issued a strike notice in May 2025. However, a 30-day extension granted by KNUN after the appointment of conciliators will expire on August 8. If no satisfactory resolution is reached, nurses will not be available to supervise interns during the strike.
The strike risks significant disruption of healthcare services nationwide, reflecting long-standing grievances within the nursing cadre regarding professional recognition and support. This strike highlights systemic issues in Kenya’s healthcare sector, particularly at the county government level, where budget allocations, delays in salary payments, and poor working environments have compounded staff dissatisfaction and service delivery challenges.
- The radio announced the upcoming nationwide strike by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) in the health-and-wellness sector, set to commence at midnight on August 8, 2025.
- The epaper reported that this strike is a result of unfulfilled Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) commitments and prolonged neglect by county governments in the industry.
- The science section of the epaper discussed the mental-health implications of the overwork, underpay, and burnout experienced by nurses in the workplace-wellness industry.
- In the business section, an article highlighted the financial impact of the strike on the healthcare industry, threatening to cripple public healthcare facilities across the country.
- The crime-and-justice segment of the epaper pointed out the County governments' alleged evasiveness and dishonesty regarding the CBA implementation, which could lead to legal consequences.
- The general-news section reported the ongoing attempts to resolve the impasse through the Ministry of Labour's appointed conciliators, with a 30-day extension expiring on August 8.
- Political analysts suggest that this strike could reflect broader grievances within the nursing cadre regarding professional recognition and support, as well as systemic issues in Kenya’s healthcare sector.
