The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has announced the date when the national strike will commence.
In a notice dated Friday, June 20, KNUNM General Secretary Seth Panyako said the members will attend the National Advisory Council Meeting on June 27, 2025.
Panyako said the Council will approve the strike, which is planned to start on July 7, 2025.
referred to a letter dated June 28, which postponed the above meeting.
He confirmed the new date, adding that the meeting will be held at the same venue, Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel, Nairobi.
Panyako said they expect members to arrive in Nairobi strictly on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in the evening.
He explained that the early arrivals will allow members to start the meeting as early as 8:00 a.m. on Friday.
The Secretary General said the schedule will give the Council ample time to execute ratification of the KNUNM Strike Notice.
He explained this is the main agenda of the meeting, and members will subsequently be released as early as possible for them to travel back.
“We have invited the National Advisory Council to a meeting to ratify the Nationwide Strike Notice, which is set to commence on July 7, 2025,” he said.
He also requested the members of the Union to continue mobilising in order to ensure 100% participation in the Strike.
3 Days Leave for Nurses
Besides, Panyako apologised for the inconvenience caused by the new meeting dates.
However, he stated that the Union has sent a copy of the letters to Nursing Officers to allow members to attend the meeting.
“By a copy of this letter, your Nursing Officer in charge is hereby notified and requested to grant you 3 days off duty from 26th to 28th June 2025 to enable you to attend this special meeting,” he added.
In KNUNM’s previous notice, Panyako highlighted several unresolved issues that constitute their grounds for the Nationwide strike.
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New Salary & Employment Terms
He stated that Nurses employed under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program have not been transitioned to permanent and pensionable terms as expected, creating job insecurity and disparity in employment conditions.
Panyako also criticised the government for failing to implement the New Salary Renumeration Commission (SRC) Salary Structure for 2024 contained in SRC circular Ref:SRC/TS/29/Vol.II(29) (2a) dated 12th September 2024, effective July 1, 2024.
Nurses Salaries
He also pointed out that counties have not implemented the revised 2024 salary structure as per the SRC guidelines, leaving employees undercompensated.
Similarly, Panyakoa said the county governments have failed to negotiate and conclude Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
“That despite several attempts to have the above resolved with yourselves, their predicaments remain purposefully unanswered, ignored and unyielding,” he said.
Panyako also listed the failure to implement the Return-to-Work Formula of November 2, 2017.
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Workforce Shortage & Agency Fee
He also highlighted the illegal deduction of an Agency Fee by Kenyatta National Hospital and the failure by the Ministry of Health to transfer budget and grants to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The Union mentioned the failure to address the acute nurse shortage in the public health facilities and remit 3rd party deductions.
KNUNM demanded that the issues be addressed within 26 working days from May 29, failing which nurses will commence a strike on July 7, 2025, and will remain on strike until their concerns are fully addressed.
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