Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has called all nurses to a meeting with the hospital’s chief executive officer as a nationwide nurses’ strike deadline approaches.

The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 2026, comes amid a seven-day strike notice issued by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) over unresolved labour disputes affecting nurses and midwives across the country.

In an internal memo dated July 27, 2026, and signed by Acting Director Nursing Services Lucy Kipkemei, KNH invited all nurses to attend the engagement at the KNH Research Centre from 9.00 am to noon.

“All nurses are cordially invited to a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer,” the memo stated.

The notice did not disclose the agenda of the meeting but comes at a time when health facilities are preparing for possible disruption should the planned industrial action proceed.

KNUNM has warned that nurses and midwives could down their tools from midnight on July 29, 2026, if the government fails to resolve their grievances.

The union issued the strike notice on July 22, 2026, through General Secretary Seth Panyako, citing years of unresolved issues despite repeated negotiations with government agencies and county administrations.

The strike threat affects public health facilities across the country, including referral hospitals such as KNH, which handles specialised medical services and receives patients from different counties.

Issues behind nurses’ strike threat

KNUNM has listed five major issues that it wants addressed before the strike begins.

One of the main concerns is the delay in concluding negotiations for the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for nurses and midwives.

A CBA sets out employment terms between workers and employers, including salaries, allowances, working conditions and other benefits.

The union has accused authorities of failing to complete negotiations despite prolonged discussions.

KNUNM is also demanding the implementation of the 2017 Return-to-Work Agreement, which was signed after an earlier health workers’ strike.

The union wants a clear implementation plan showing how commitments made in the agreement will be fulfilled.

Another concern is the employment status of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) nurses.

The union says some UHC nurses have not been placed on the payroll or issued with permanent and pensionable employment letters despite budget allocations by the National Treasury.

KNUNM has also raised concerns over career progression among nursing personnel, saying delays in implementing career guidelines have affected promotions and professional growth.

The union further wants the reinstatement of 46 nurses dismissed by the Kisii County Government in 2021, arguing that their removal from employment was unfair.

KNH faces possible service disruption

A strike by nurses could affect key services at KNH, including outpatient clinics, maternity care, routine procedures and specialised treatment.

Nurses make up a significant part of Kenya’s healthcare workforce and play a central role in patient care, emergency response and daily operations in public hospitals.

The latest move by KNH to bring nurses together for talks mirrors previous efforts by health authorities to prevent disruptions.

In April 2026, a nurses’ strike at KNH was called off after negotiations between hospital management and KNUNM.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said at the time that both sides reached an agreement after discussions aimed at addressing nurses’ concerns.

The agreement included measures on medical cover, promotions, workload challenges and plans to progressively convert contract nurses to permanent and pensionable employment.

As the July 29 deadline approaches, attention is now on whether further talks between nurses, hospital management and government officials will prevent another nationwide health workers’ strike.

KNUNM has maintained that dialogue remains possible but warned that industrial action will continue until the outstanding grievances are addressed.

The meeting between KNH nurses and the CEO could therefore provide an opportunity to address concerns at the country’s largest referral hospital before the planned strike begins.