Kenya’s healthcare system is staring at a looming crisis as the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has declared a nationwide strike set to begin on June 24, citing years of neglect and unfulfilled promises by the government.
Issuing a 26-day strike notice, KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako called out the government for what he described as chronic indifference toward critical labour issues affecting nurses. Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, May 29, Panyako accused authorities of turning a deaf ear to demands that have remained unresolved for over seven years.
“The clock has run out,” Panyako said. “Our grievances have been shelved for far too long. This strike is about dignity, fairness, and the right to be treated as professionals.”
At the heart of the union’s demands is the permanent and pensionable employment of nurses hired under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program. According to KNUN, these nurses despite holding equal academic qualifications are subjected to poor working conditions and meagre pay, unlike their counterparts on standard terms.
“UHC nurses have endured exploitation for more than five years,” Panyako noted. “They perform the same duties, hold the same qualifications, yet are paid significantly less. That is not just unfair it is unjust.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the union condemned the government’s failure to implement the 2024 salary structure for nurses, which officially took effect in July last year. The delay has further strained an already fragile relationship between health workers and the Ministry of Health.
And it’s not just the nurses. The Kenya Clinical Officers Association (KCOA) has also signaled its intention to join the strike, citing the administration’s broken promises. Their primary concern lies with the collapse of reliable health insurance coverage after the phase-out of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“We can’t access medical services ourselves,” a KCOA spokesperson lamented. “We treat the nation, yet we’re left unprotected. There’s no proper medical cover in place for us, and that is unacceptable.”
As the June 24 deadline approaches, pressure is mounting on President William Ruto’s administration to respond decisively. The potential joint strike by nurses and clinical officers could paralyze public healthcare services nationwide if swift action isn’t taken.
