How Nairobi doctors’ strike has led to congestion crisis at KNH
By Kiprono Keileb, March 6, 2026Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Lesiyampe has raised concerns over growing congestion at the country’s largest referral hospital, warning that the facility is now handling far more patients than it was designed to accommodate.
The pressure is being felt most in the maternity section, where the number of expectant mothers arriving daily has sharply increased.
Speaking to a section of the media on Friday, March 6, 2026, Lesiyampe linked the situation at KNH to the ongoing health workers’ strike in Nairobi County, which has disrupted services in several county-run health facilities. As a result, many patients who would normally seek care in nearby hospitals are now turning to KNH.
Lesiyampe explained that the strike has affected the operations of primary health care facilities across the county, forcing the national referral hospital to absorb the additional patient load. He said the situation has stretched the hospital’s capacity and medical staff, particularly in the maternity department.
“Since December, they have been in what we call a go-slow or an industrial action that has actually stretched us as Kenyatta National Hospital,” the CEO stated.
He pointed out that many county facilities that usually handle routine deliveries are either not operating or operating at very limited capacity, leaving pregnant mothers with few options. Because of the disruption at those facilities, the referral hospital is now receiving more expectant mothers than it was originally built to handle.
“The primary health care facilities within the county are not operational and in some instances, are not seriously operational. We are receiving not less than 100 expectant mothers to deliver at KNH, while our capacity has been 40,” he stated.
Lesiyampe further explained that the hospital is not only dealing with a higher number of deliveries but also caring for newborns who require specialised medical attention.
“We are delivering babies some requiring incubators, others requiring other support commodities,” the statement reads.
He warned that the continued disruption of health services in the county could increase the risks faced by mothers and newborns, especially if referral hospitals continue to carry such a heavy burden.
The CEO called on Nairobi County authorities to urgently resolve the dispute with health workers and restore normal operations at local health facilities to ease pressure on the national referral hospital. He said functioning primary health centres are critical in handling routine cases and preventing overcrowding at KNH.