KNH Nurses Ordered to Strike from Monday

The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has directed its members at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to halt services on Monday, April 13,  intensifying a dispute over delayed salaries, unpaid pensions, and poor employment terms.

KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako announced the decision in Kisumu on Sunday, stating that nurses will withdraw their labor until the government addresses their long-standing grievances.

“There will be no work at KNH,” Panyako said, warning that the situation has become unsustainable for healthcare workers.

The union accuses the government of failing to pay salaries on time and neglecting pension obligations, leaving many nurses in financial distress.

Healthcare Strike Threatens National Referral Hospital Operations

KNUN also criticizes the continued reliance on casual employment, arguing that it undermines job security and compromises the quality of healthcare services.

The planned strike is expected to disrupt operations at KNH, the country’s largest referral hospital, which serves thousands of patients daily and handles complex cases from across the nation.

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The disruption could strain other public health facilities as patients seek alternative care.

Hospital management and government officials have not yet issued a formal response.

Previous standoffs between healthcare workers and the state have often resulted in prolonged negotiations, sometimes leading to widespread service interruptions.

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Patients Seek Alternatives as Strike Looms

Patients and their families now face uncertainty as the looming strike threatens access to critical medical services.

Some have already begun making contingency plans, including seeking treatment in private facilities or rescheduling appointments.

KNUN is calling for urgent dialogue, yet the strike will proceed without action.

The union maintains that only decisive action will restore normal operations and protect both healthcare workers and patients.

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KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako. PHOTO/FILE.