Services at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are expected to resume after nurses called off their strike on Tuesday following a breakthrough agreement with management, bringing to an end a standoff that had paralysed operations at the country’s largest referral facility.
The return-to-work formula, signed on Tuesday between the KNH Board and the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), followed hours of intense negotiations mediated by the Ministry of Health.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the agreement, describing it as a crucial step in addressing long-standing concerns raised by nurses.
“We have agreed on a return-to-work formula that addresses key concerns, including medical cover, promotions and workload,” Duale said.
The strike, which began on April 13, disrupted services across critical departments, leaving patients affected by interruptions in care and increasing pressure on the government to act swiftly.
At the centre of the dispute was the delayed implementation of a 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) addendum, alongside grievances over heavy workload, delayed remittance of deductions, poor medical cover and job insecurity among contract nurses.
Under the new deal, KNH management confirmed that the CBA addendum will now be implemented and incorporated into the 2025–2029 agreement, unlocking improved pay and benefits.
“Management confirmed that the CBA addendum dated September 8, 2025, shall be included in the 2025–2029 CBA,” the agreement states.
Nurses are set to benefit from revised allowances, including a Sh25,000 uniform allowance and a Sh30,000 nursing service allowance. Leave allowance will be pegged at one-third of basic salary, capped at Sh50,000, while the health risk allowance remains at Sh5,000.
Promotions for common cadre nurses will take effect as they fall due, with implementation timelines starting May 1, 2026.
Beyond pay, the agreement also seeks to address broader working conditions that contributed to the strike.
Medical cover will be overhauled, with both parties agreeing to urgently develop a framework aimed at improving access, particularly for specialised care.
“Parties agreed to formulate a comprehensive framework to operationalise the interim arrangement on medical cover by close of business April 14, 2026,” the agreement reads.
Workload concerns, including a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:35, also featured in the talks. KNH has committed to recruiting additional staff, including 100 nurses subject to Treasury funding and 100 healthcare assistants, while continuing to engage locum nurses to help ease immediate pressure.
“KNH shall continue to recruit locum nurses to reduce workload and ensure continuity of care,” the agreement states.
Financial pressures linked to delayed remittance of statutory and third-party deductions were also addressed. KNH has pledged to clear March remittances by April 23 and to process future deductions by the 15th of every month starting next financial year. A meeting with financial institutions has also been scheduled to address penalties incurred by affected staff.
“A meeting will be convened by May 15, 2026, with financial institutions to address penalties charged,” the agreement states.
On job security, the agreement outlines a pathway for contract nurses, with conversion to permanent and pensionable terms set to take effect from July 1, 2026, a move expected to improve morale and retention.
“Conversion to permanent and pensionable arrangements will take effect from July 1, 2026,” the agreement notes.
The deal also includes a safeguard ensuring that no nurse will face victimisation for participating in the strike, a clause seen as key in rebuilding trust between staff and management.
“No nurse who stayed out of duty in compliance with the strike notice shall be victimised or intimidated,” the parties agreed.
With the agreement now signed, nurses are expected to resume duty on April 15 at 7:30 am, paving the way for the gradual restoration of services at the referral hospital.
“By execution of this return-to-work formula, the strike which commenced on April 13, 2026, is hereby called off,” the agreement states.
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