Nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have successfully concluded their strike following extensive negotiations, alleviating the burden on patients and enabling services to recommence at the country’s largest referral hospital.
On April 14, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that nurses agreed to return to work after signing a comprehensive return-to-work formula that addresses their primary concerns.
In his statement, Duale expressed gratitude to both negotiating teams for their goodwill and professionalism in resolving the issues at hand. He emphasized their collaborative effort, which culminated in a mutually beneficial agreement.
The agreement encompasses several vital areas, including enhanced medical coverage, structured promotion pathways, initiatives to alleviate workload challenges, and the gradual transition of contract nurses to permanent and pensionable positions.
Duale praised the management of KNH for its transparency and adaptability during discussions, highlighting the hospital’s dedication to maintaining essential services throughout the strike.
“As we move forward, we must prioritize delivering quality, timely, and compassionate healthcare to all Kenyans,” he urged, encouraging nurses to promptly return to work and uphold high standards of patient care.
The strike originated from a notice issued on February 17, 2026, in which the union outlined grievances related to the implementation of the 2025 CBA addendum, inadequate medical coverage, overwhelming workloads with a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:35, and insufficient stakeholder engagement regarding the transition of the Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital.
On April 13, 2026, operations at KNH faced significant disruption as nurses ceased work, igniting a labor standoff that strained essential health services.
The nurses protested that unresolved grievances had compromised routine services, affecting wards, outpatient clinics, and certain emergency support functions.
Patients seeking care at the hospital encountered delays and limited access to services as the strike took effect.
Hospital management acknowledged the disruption but assured that measures were in place to stabilize operations. They confirmed that salaries, including those of nurses, had been processed through March 2026 following recent discussions with union representatives.
During the standoff, KNH Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe stated that most issues outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had been addressed, with only a few matters pending resolution.
“Most issues of the CBA have been concluded. We have processed salaries up to February, with March payments scheduled before the 20th. I assure you of our commitment,” Lesiyampe asserted.
He further indicated that management would adhere to the agreements reached with union representatives, clarifying that any delays were procedural rather than indicative of neglect.
Despite the hospital’s assurances, nurses expressed that their concerns have compounded over time and remain unaddressed.
Their ongoing complaints include delayed remittance of statutory deductions, stalled promotions, insufficient medical coverage, and persistent staffing shortages that have deteriorated working conditions.
