By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, July 22 ,2026 - The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has issued a seven-day nationwide strike notice, setting the stage for a major disruption of health services across the country unless the government resolves a raft of long-standing labour grievances.
In a strike notice dated July 21, 2026, the union warned that nurses and midwives in public health facilities will down their tools from 12.01 a.m. on July 29, 2026, if the concerns remain unresolved.
The notice, signed by KNUNM General Secretary Seth Panyako, was addressed to the Council of Governors, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Ministry of Health, the Public Service Commission, the Ministry of Public Service, all county secretaries and all county public service boards.
The union accused the government of failing to resolve grievances that it says have persisted for more than a decade despite repeated negotiations.
Among the key demands is the immediate conclusion of negotiations for the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
KNUNM also wants the government to provide an implementation matrix for the 2017 Return-to-Work Agreement, pay Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff whose salaries it says have already been budgeted for by the National Treasury, issue them with permanent and pensionable terms of service, and implement career guidelines for nursing personnel.
The union further demanded the reinstatement of 46 nurses in Kisii County who it said were wrongfully dismissed while on duty in 2021.
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"The following issues have remained unresolved for over 10 years despite our efforts to have them amicably resolved, which now constitute our grounds for the nationwide strike," the union said in the notice.
KNUNM gave the government seven days from the date of the notice to address the grievances, warning that failure to do so would trigger an indefinite nationwide industrial action.
"All nurses and midwives in health facilities will commence a strike on July 29, 2026 at 12.01 a.m. and will remain on strike until the above issues are fully addressed," the notice states.
If the strike proceeds, it is expected to disrupt healthcare services in public hospitals across the country's 47 counties, piling pressure on both the national and county governments to reach a negotiated settlement before the expiry of the notice period.