KNH nurses call off strike after deal with govt
By Aloys Michael, April 15, 2026Nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have ended their strike after prolonged negotiations, easing pressure on patients and allowing services to resume at the nation’s biggest referral hospital.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that the nurses had agreed to resume duty after signing a return-to-work formula addressing their key grievances.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I wish to sincerely thank both negotiating teams for demonstrating goodwill, professionalism, and a shared commitment to resolving the issues at hand,” the statement read in part.
“Their willingness to engage candidly and expedite the process has led to an agreed return-to-work formula that addresses key concerns raised by our nurses.”
According to Duale, the agreement covers several critical areas, including improved medical cover, structured promotions, measures to ease workload challenges, and the progressive conversion of nurses on contract to permanent and pensionable terms.
Duale also commended KNH management for its openness and flexibility during the talks, noting that the hospital had remained committed to ensuring continuity of essential services throughout the strike period.
“As we move forward, the focus must now shift firmly to delivering quality, timely, and compassionate healthcare services to all Kenyans,” he said, urging nurses to return to work promptly and uphold high standards of patient care.
The strike had been triggered by a notice issued on February 17, 2026, in which the union cited grievances including the implementation of the 2025 CBA addendum, unsatisfactory medical cover, increased workload with a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:35, and lack of stakeholder engagement in the transition of the Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital.
The strike
Operations at KNH were disrupted on Monday, April 13, 2026, after nurses downed their tools, triggering a fresh labour standoff that has begun to strain essential health services at the facility.
The nurses were protesting that long-standing grievances have affected routine services, including wards, outpatient clinics, and some emergency support functions.
Patients seeking treatment at the hospital have been experiencing delays and reduced access to care as the industrial action takes effect.
Hospital management acknowledged the disruption but insisted that efforts were underway to stabilise operations. The administration confirmed that salaries, including those of nurses, had been processed up to March 2026 following recent engagements with union representatives.
Speaking during the standoff, KNH Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe said most issues under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had already been resolved, with only a few pending matters remaining.
“Most of the issues of the CBA were concluded. On remittance, we have paid up to February. What remains is for March, and we will pay before the 20th. I am not a liar, and you know me well,” Lesiyampe said.
He added that management would continue operating within the framework of agreements reached with union representatives, noting that some delays were procedural and not indicative of neglect.
Despite the hospital’s position, nurses said their grievances have accumulated over time and remain unresolved.
Their complaints include delayed remittance of statutory deductions, stalled promotions, inadequate medical cover, and persistent staffing shortages that they say have worsened working conditions.