SETH PANYAKO
| NAME | SETH PANYAKO |
| AGE | 40 YEARS |
| GENDER | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | NURSE AND TRADE UNIONIST |
Seth Panyako is the outspoken Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), who has built his reputation on controversy and confrontation.
He is a nurse by profession and a seasoned trade unionist. Additionally, his boldness has made him a prominent voice in Kenya’s labor movement.
Family, Age, and Educational Background of Seth Panyako
Panyako was born on May 5, 1985.
Before stepping into the national limelight as a trade unionist, Seth Panyako was a nurse.
He began his training at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
He graduated in 2001, specializing in areas such as midwifery, which he described as his favorite unit because it gave him the chance to help mothers give birth safely and reduce deaths during delivery.
Before officially joining the campus, he earned his first income by washing dishes at the university cafeteria.
It was there that he met Dr. Cheasse Fonda, who was so impressed by the O-Level results that he decided to sponsor his tuition fees.
After completing his studies, Panyako briefly worked as a nurse at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Career Under KNUN
Since 2013, he has served as the Secretary-General of KNUN.
Over the years, Panyako has positioned himself as a defender of nurses, clashing with the government over pay disputes, working conditions, and healthcare reforms.
In 2020, Panyako led a nationwide call for nurses to down their tools after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission claimed the government could not meet their demands.
“The strike is on. We don’t care where they get the money from, but nurses will not go back to work until they are paid.”
Panyako also serves as a board member of LAPFUND.
Also Read: Kakamega UDA Party Members Urge Ruto to Reconcile with Panyako
Political Stand and UDA Ties
Beyond the union space, Panyako has been a politician.
He was the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate for the Malava parliamentary seat in 2022 but lost to ANC’s Malulu Injendi.
He later challenged the result in court but also turned his frustrations toward his own party, accusing it of sidelining him despite his campaign efforts for President William Ruto in Western Kenya.
Additionally, Panyako claimed he had been offered a Cabinet Secretary position but declined, saying his work as KNUN boss carried greater weight.
“My job as Secretary-General is bigger than that of a CS,” he declared.
He said that he would not stoop so low as to accept what he described as a junior role in government.
Panyako is eyeing the Malava parliamentary seat again in a by-election following the death of Malulu Injendi.
He will be vying against Rhyan Injendi, the eldest son of the late Malava MP Malulu Injendi, whom he had lost to.
On July 16, he made an about-turn and joined UDA.
“I will be vying for the Malava Constituency seat in the 2027 General Election on the UDA Party ticket. Wale wanasema mambo ya senator hiyo ni Propaganda,” he said.
Also Read: Rhyan Injendi Profile: Boy Seeking to Succeed His Late Dad Malulu
Head-to-Head with Government
In 2023, Panyako resigned from his role as UDA’s deputy chairperson in charge of programs.
His exit came after he criticized the Kenya Kwanza administration for failing to reduce the cost of living and for introducing a controversial 3 percent housing levy.
He said he was pressured to step down and denied a chance to defend himself before a party disciplinary committee.
“I am still friends with the President, but for now supporting him is not tenable,” he said.
In 2023, Panyako accused senior government officials of interfering in the operations of the Lapfund pension scheme, where he sits on the board.
He alleged that top officials attempted to extort millions from the fund and described the interference as state capture.
“If they want, they can come and get me. I am not afraid to die because I will be on the right side of history,” he told reporters in Kakamega.
Net worth
Details about his net worth are not publicly available.
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