Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that nurses at the Kenyatta National Hospital have called off their industrial action following negotiations between hospital management and the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives.
In a statement dated April 15 by CS Duale, the Ministry of Health indicated that the resolution followed discussions that led to a return-to-work agreement addressing the nurses’ concerns.
“I am pleased to announce that the industrial action by nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital has been officially called off following hours of intensive and constructive negotiations between Hospital Management and the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives,” Duale stated.
Duale Announces End of KNH Nurses Strike
According to CS Duale, the negotiations involved engagement between the hospital management and union representatives, resulting in an agreement covering key areas affecting the nursing staff.
These include medical cover, structured promotions, workload management, and the progressive conversion of nurses on contract terms to permanent and pensionable employment.
The Ministry also acknowledged the role of Kenyatta National Hospital management in maintaining essential services during the period of the strike while participating in the resolution process.
Following the agreement, nurses have been directed to resume duty as services return to normal at the facility. The Ministry stated that attention will now shift to the delivery of healthcare services and the maintenance of patient care standards.
“I urge all nurses to resume duty promptly and continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and patient care that KNH is known for,” Duale announced.
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He further noted that mechanisms have been established to support implementation of the agreed measures and to ensure continued engagement between stakeholders.
KNH Nurses Return-to-Work Agreement Reached
The agreement signed on April 14 provides for the implementation of the CBA addendum signed on September 8, 2025, within the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement. It sets revised allowances, including KSh 25,000 for uniform, KSh 30,000 for nursing service, and a leave allowance set at one-third of basic salary, capped at KSh 50,000. The health risk allowance remains at KSh 5,000, while other allowances will be reviewed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
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On staffing, KNH will continue hiring locum nurses to reduce workload pressure. The hospital will also seek KSh 364 million from the National Treasury to recruit 100 additional nurses and proceed with the recruitment of 100 healthcare assistants to improve service delivery.
The parties also agreed on measures to address challenges in medical cover by developing an interim operational framework for specialized care. KNH will clear outstanding third-party deductions, with March payments scheduled for April 23, 2026, and monthly remittances to follow by the 15th of each month.
The agreement confirms that pension benefits will be paid on time and contract nurses will transition to permanent and pensionable terms from July 1, 2026. Promotions under the common cadre system will take effect from 1 May 2026. Nurses are expected to resume duty on April 15, 2026, at 7.30 am, with assurances that no disciplinary action will be taken over participation in the strike.
