By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 17 January 2026 - Kenyans could face major disruption to health services after the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) issued a seven-day strike notice, setting January 23 as the possible start date for a nationwide walkout.
In a statement released on Saturday, the union said the notice was prompted by the government’s continued failure to fully implement the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), despite years of negotiations and repeated follow-ups.
According to the nurses, a return-to-work agreement signed on 2 November 2017 has remained largely unfulfilled for over seven years. The agreement provided for the progressive enhancement of service and risk allowances, as well as the conclusion and signing of CBAs across all counties.
“The government has partially honoured the agreed terms, and this partial implementation has led to significant disharmony in nurses’ benefits and remuneration across the public sector,” the union said.
It added that, “Such partial fulfilment constitutes a breach of a binding industrial relations settlement and undermines the trust between the parties.”
The union accused the government of violating agreed dispute resolution mechanisms and denying nurses their lawful entitlements. It also criticised President William Ruto’s administration for failing to transition Universal Health Coverage (UHC) nurses to permanent and pensionable terms.
Further grievances include the non-implementation of the 2024/2025 Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) pay structures, which were meant to take effect from July 1, 2024.
“However, County Governments have failed/refused to implement these adjustments, resulting in unlawful underpayment and breach of statutory remuneration obligations,” the nurses said.
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The union also raised concern over the Ministry of Health’s failure to remit budgetary allocations and grants to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, warning that the situation has crippled operations, strained service delivery and worsened working conditions.
The nurses also cited persistent staff shortages in public health facilities, saying the unresolved deficit has led to excessive workloads, burnout and compromised patient safety.
“Take note that failure to address these grievances and provide a clear roadmap for implementation within seven days will prompt the union to escalate the matter and engage the nurses for nationwide industrial action,” the union warned.
The ultimatum comes amid an ongoing strike by nurses, clinical officers and laboratory technicians in Nairobi County over delayed salaries and poor pay. The health workers say hospitals have been forced to cut back on purchasing essential drugs in order to pay staff.
However, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration has declared the strike illegal, directing health workers to resume duty within 12 hours or face disciplinary action.
