A nationwide health crisis is looming as Kenyan nurses have announced that they will commence a nationwide strike starting August 3, 2025, citing deteriorating working conditions, dismal remuneration, and the government’s continued failure to honor promises made during the campaign and negotiation periods.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) on Saturday issued a formal strike notice, warning that the healthcare system will grind to a halt unless the Kenya Kwanza administration addresses their long-standing grievances. The union claims that despite repeated engagements with the Ministry of Health and county governments, there has been little to no progress in resolving their concerns.
Among the key issues cited are chronic understaffing, lack of essential medical supplies, delayed or irregular salary payments, and poor occupational safety. The nurses also accuse the government of backtracking on previous agreements, including pay harmonization and the full implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
“It is disheartening that we are forced to walk this path once again. Nurses are overworked, underpaid, and treated as expendable. We are simply demanding what is rightfully ours,” said KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako during a press briefing.
The union also blasted President William Ruto’s administration for what they termed “empty promises” made to healthcare workers during the 2022 campaign season. They claim the government’s failure to fulfil its pledges is a betrayal of the frontline workers who risked their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to do so in fragile, under-resourced conditions.
Should the strike proceed as planned, public hospitals across the country are expected to experience massive disruptions in services, with patients likely to bear the brunt of the fallout. Kenyans are now bracing for a potential health catastrophe if urgent dialogue is not initiated.
The Ministry of Health is yet to issue an official response to the strike notice.
This developing story comes at a time when Kenya’s health sector is already grappling with drug shortages, equipment breakdowns, and widespread dissatisfaction among health personnel. As August 3 approaches, all eyes are on the government’s next move. Will it engage and resolve the crisis, or allow the strike to plunge the country deeper into health system paralysis?
