Nurses Resume CBA Talks With Governors as 45-Day Negotiation Deadline Begins

The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has announced that negotiations for its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Council of Governors (CoG) will begin on Monday, September 21, 2026.

In an update to nurses and midwives, KNUNM said the CoG had invited the union to commence negotiations following the signing of the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) on September 9.

“The General Secretary Hon. Seth Kuka Panyako has appointed a strong negotiations team drawn across all the regions to participate and engage in the negotiations on behalf of the Union,” KNUNM said.

The inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place at the CoG offices from 11:00 am. The union said the negotiations are expected to be concluded within the 45 days agreed upon in the RTWF.

“We will provide regular, timely updates to our members as the process unfolds,” the union said.

Nurses CBA Talks to Run for 45 Days

The September 9 RTWF signed by the CoG and KNUNM requires the two sides to continue negotiations and conclude the CBA within 45 days of signing the agreement.

The agreement also provides for enhanced allowances for nurses and midwives. The risk allowance will increase from KSh3,850 to KSh8,000, while the uniform allowance will rise from Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 15,000.

The parties will include the enhanced allowances in the CBA and backdate their implementation to July 1, 2025.

CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi and Health Committee Chairperson Abdullswamad Shariff Nassir signed the RTWF on behalf of county governments.

KNUNM Secretary General Seth Panyako, Chairperson Joseph Ngwasi and National Treasurer Maureen Nzioka represented the union during the signing.

Union Names Negotiating Team

In a letter dated September 15, KNUNM formally submitted the names of its CBA negotiating team to the Council of Governors.

The team includes Deputy General Secretary Maurice Opetu, National Chairperson Joseph Ngwasi, Assistant General Secretary Lucy Mburu, and several county branch officials.

Other members are Busia Branch Secretary James Emusugut, Trans Nzoia Branch Secretary Edward Cheruiyot, Elgeyo Marakwet Branch Secretary Benson Biwott, Kajiado Branch Secretary Wilson Leala and Kwale Branch Secretary Mwavidzo Bora.

The team also includes Nairobi County Branch Chairperson Eunice Gitindi, Senior Industrial Relations Officer David Omulama and Industrial Relations Officer Joseph Sunguti.

KNUNM had raised concern that it had not received an official invitation to begin the negotiations despite the 45-day deadline contained in the RTWF.

The union asked the Council of Governors to act promptly to protect the agreed timelines.

Also Read: Kenya to Produce First Locally Made Antivenom as Snakebite Deaths Rise

Union Called Off Strike

The CBA negotiations follow a nurses’ strike that began on July 29, 2026, after KNUNM issued a seven-day strike notice.

The union’s grievances included delays in concluding the 2025–2029 centralised CBA negotiations, failure to provide an implementation matrix for the 2017 Return-to-Work Agreement, and concerns over the employment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff.

Other issues included implementing career guidelines for nursing personnel and reinstating 46 nurses dismissed by the Kisii County Government in 2021.

Under the RTWF, KNUNM agreed to immediately call off the strike and direct members who had participated in the industrial action to resume duty within 24 hours of signing the agreement.

The agreement also states that the parties shall not victimise nurses and midwives.

Also Read: Nurses Call Off 43-Day Strike After Deal With Governors

UHC Staff to Get Permanent Terms

RTWF provides that the 47 county governments shall employ UHC staff on permanent and pensionable terms at rates approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

The agreement states that the arrangement should take effect from the beginning of the 2026/27 financial year.

It also provides that the national government will pay the gratuity accrued during the staff members’ two contracts, in line with a resolution of the National and County Governments Coordinating Summit held on September 8, 2026.

On career guidelines, the Council of Governors agreed to coordinate and initiate the development of model guidelines for adoption by county governments within 45 days.

The agreement further states that the existing career guidelines issued by the Public Service Commission on April 25, 2025, did not apply to county employees, citing a subsequent PSC letter and a court decision.

Meanwhile, the issue involving the 46 nurses dismissed by Kisii County will be handled between the county government and the union.

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A photo of Nurses dancing outside Afya House in Nairobi during the Kenya National Union of Nurses workers protests demanding the implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and calling on the Council of Governors (CoG) to sign and honor the negotiated deal July 30, 2026. Photo/ Evans Habil/NMG