The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has suspended a planned procession by Universal Health Coverage (UHC) nurses that was scheduled for August 5, 2025.

In a letter dated July 31, 2025, Secretary General Seth Panyako informed the Nairobi Regional Commander that the demonstration had been called off to give room for dialogue with the government.

This move comes as the nurses’ union continues to push for lasting solutions to long-standing issues affecting more than 8,500 UHC nurses. These healthcare workers were deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic across all 47 counties with promises of permanent and pensionable employment, promises that remain unfulfilled five years later.

While the procession has been suspended, the threat of a nationwide strike still looms. In June, the union extended its strike notice by 30 days after the government appointed a conciliator, as required under Section 66 of the Labour Relations Act. If no agreement is reached, nurses are expected to down their tools starting 3rd August.

Grievances and reform promises

Among the unresolved grievances are the government’s failure to confirm UHC nurses into permanent roles, delayed implementation of the 2024 salary structure, and the slow progress on Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

The union has also accused the Ministry of Health of failing to transfer budgetary funds to hospitals like Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital and of ignoring third-party deductions and agency fee irregularities at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has acknowledged the crisis in the Ministry and vowed to reform. Speaking on August 1, 2025, Duale promised to root out corruption in the nursing internship process and to digitise the system to improve transparency. He also said budget proposals had been made to increase allocations for health.

However, tension remains, especially after the Council of Governors rejected the ministry’s move to shift UHC payrolls to counties without guaranteed funding.