Nurses Write to Police as They Plan March to Council of Governors Offices

More than 9,400 nurses and midwives from across Kenya are expected to converge in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 8, as the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) escalates pressure on the Council of Governors over unresolved grievances.

The union notified Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of the planned procession in a letter dated September 4, signed by KNUNM Secretary General Seth Panyako.

The notice requests police security for the demonstration.

KNUNM plans to mobilize 200 nurses and midwives from each of the 47 counties, bringing the projected turnout to 9,400.

The procession will begin at Green Park in Nairobi at 9 am before moving along Waiyaki Way to Delta House, where the Council of Governors’ offices are located.

The union plans to present its grievances to the CoG chief executive officer before returning to Green Park.

“We kindly notify you of a planned gathering and procession by Nurses and Midwives from all 47 counties (200 Nurses from each County-total 9,400) and request security during the event ON 8TH SEPTEMBER 2026,” Panyako said in the notice.

Also Read: Hafidh Ameir: The Man Who Stood Beside Tanzania’s First Female President

Nurses’ Strike Dispute

The planned demonstration comes as nurses remain engaged in a prolonged nationwide strike over employment terms, remuneration and implementation of agreed conditions of service.

At the center of the dispute is the implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which the union has repeatedly identified as a key issue in the standoff with county governments.

Also Read: KRA  Clarifies Cargo Clearance Rules Amid Stakeholder Concerns

Healthcare Governance Conflict

Earlier, Panyako also alleged that the CoG had been blocking government attempts to address the crisis since some governors are worried that the Ministry of Health could take over healthcare services again from county bosses.

“The Council of Governors has the politics of fear, the fear of the unknown that the Ministry of Health will take back the health care system for the National Government,” he said.

He went on to state that county governments had sufficient financial capacity to deliver employment commitments made to nurses.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates.

A photo collage of nurses and midwives during their CBA march across the nation
PHOTO/KNUNM