Laikipia nurses call off month-long strike
By Wanjira Wachira, July 15, 2026Laikipia nurses have called off their month-long strike after signing a return-to-work agreement with the county government, paving the way for the resumption of services in public health facilities.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) announced the end of the industrial action on Wednesday, July 15,2026, with union officials directing all nurses to resume duty immediately.
KNUN Laikipia branch chairman Peter Ndiba said the agreement followed negotiations with the county government and urged nurses to return to work to restore healthcare services across the county.
The strike began on June 16 and disrupted operations at Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nyahururu County Referral Hospital and other public health facilities. Patients seeking emergency care, maternal health services and treatment for chronic illnesses were among those affected, with many turning to private hospitals or facilities outside the county.
Issues behind the strike
The nurses had demanded payment of seven months’ salary arrears, promotion and redesignation of eligible staff, conversion of contract employees to permanent and pensionable terms, improved medical insurance and the recruitment of additional health workers.
They also cited staff shortages, poor working conditions and delays in implementing an agreed grading structure.
The industrial action followed an earlier return-to-work agreement signed in April 2026, which ended a previous strike.
That agreement committed the county government to recruit 33 nurses, process promotions, convert contract staff to permanent and pensionable terms and address salary arrears. A joint technical committee was also established to oversee implementation of the agreement.
After some of the commitments remained outstanding, nurses resumed the strike in June.
County commitments
Under the latest agreement, the county government has committed to recruiting additional healthcare workers before the end of December 2026.
Governor Joshua Irungu said the recruitment process had already started.
The county has also undertaken to address delayed promotions. Routine promotions will continue under the common-cadre system, while competitive promotions for 101 eligible nurses will be processed through the County Public Service Board.
The administration also committed to reviewing the medical insurance scheme for nurses to ensure uninterrupted access to treatment at accredited health facilities.
Governor Irungu acknowledged the effect the strike had on service delivery.
“Our hospitals have infrastructure and medicines, but without our nurses, healthcare services could not continue as expected. We sincerely apologise to the people of Laikipia for the inconvenience they have experienced over the past month,” he said.
He also assured nurses that none would face disciplinary action for participating in the strike.
“There will be no victimisation. Our nurses should return to work with confidence, and together we can continue serving the people of Laikipia.”
Union welcomes agreement
Ndiba welcomed the agreement but said its success would depend on implementation.
“We did not want to be on strike. We were pushed into it by issues affecting the welfare of our members,” he said.
He noted that nurses had previously signed return-to-work agreements that were not fully implemented, adding that some contract nurses had served the county for years without being absorbed into permanent and pensionable employment.
Nurse Edith Nduta described the effect of delayed salaries on health workers and their families.
“I have a small child. How do I raise a child without a salary for seven months? How do I afford diapers? We are suffering. It is either you pay us or we stop working.”
With the strike now suspended, attention shifts to implementation of the agreed commitments, including recruitment of additional staff, processing of promotions, settlement of salary concerns and improvement of medical insurance for nurses. These measures are expected to support the restoration of healthcare services across Laikipia County.