The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has reaffirmed its plan to proceed with a nationwide nurses’ strike beginning July 7, 2025, citing the government’s failure to address nine pressing issues outlined in a 26-day strike notice.
Union Secretary General Seth Panyako announced on Friday that the National Advisory Council will convene next Friday to formally ratify the strike notice, previously served to both the national and county governments. He urged union members to prepare for full participation and directed all Nursing Officers in charge to allow nurses three days off duty, from June 26 to June 28, to attend the special meeting.
“We have invited the National Advisory Council to a meeting to ratify the Nationwide Strike Notice. Members are requested to continue mobilising to ensure 100 per cent participation,” Panyako said in a statement.
Among the core grievances is the government’s failure to convert nurses hired under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program to permanent and pensionable terms, a move the union insists would ensure job security and dignity for frontline health workers.
Other unmet demands include the implementation of the 2024 salary structure outlined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), enforcement of the 2017 Return to Work Formula, and finalization of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) at the county level.
KNUNM has also raised concerns about the illegal deduction of agency fees at Kenyatta National Hospital, delayed budgetary allocations to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, and the government’s failure to remit third-party deductions. The acute shortage of nurses in public health facilities and the lack of preauthorization for nurse anaesthetists and empanelment of nursing facilities by the Nursing Council of Kenya round out the list of unresolved issues.
The union said it regrets the government’s continued inaction and warned that failure to respond meaningfully before July 7 will lead to a total withdrawal of nursing services across the country.
Written By Rodney Mbua
