Seth Panyako.
Nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital have won the first round in their fight for better pay after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission allowed the hospital to increase allowances by more than Sh20,000.
The approval, contained in a letter dated August 4 to KNH chief executive officer Dr Richard Lesiyampe, came as the nationwide nurses' strike entered its eighth day.
SRC commission secretary and CEO Abdullahi Surraw said they had reviewed KNH's request after consultations involving the hospital, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) and the commission.
"The commission during its 722nd meeting held on August 4, 2026, deliberated on your request taking into consideration remuneration determinants factors among them affordability, fiscal sustainability, comparability, government policies and guidelines," Surraw wrote.
"Consequently, the commission advises Kenyatta National Hospital to negotiate with the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives the proposed Collective Bargaining Negotiation for the 2025-29 cycle within the following parameters."
The SRC approved a phased increase in the annual uniform allowance from Sh15,000 to Sh25,000. It also allowed the monthly nursing service allowance to rise from Sh20,000 to Sh30,000 during the life of the CBA, subject to the availability of funds.
According to the letter, both improvements are to be strictly restricted to Kenyatta National Hospital, meaning they will not automatically apply to nurses employed by county governments.
The commission also approved revised leave allowances for different KNH nursing grades.
Under the advisory, nurses in Grade 10 will receive Sh19,720, Grade 9 Sh21,240, Grade 8 Sh21,900, Grade 7 Sh29,060 and Grade 6 Sh36,200.
Other remunerative items will remain as previously advised by the commission.
Surraw said the approval was not the final step before implementation.
"The commission further advises that upon conclusion of the collective bargaining negotiations within the parameters provided herein... Kenyatta National Hospital is to forward a copy of the signed CBA for issuance of concurrence in writing to facilitate registration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement at the Employment and Labour Relations Court," he said.
The letter followed a meeting held on August 3 between SRC, KNH management and KNUNM representatives after the hospital formally sought a review of the commission's earlier advisory.
The latest development is one of the first gains made by nurses since they began industrial action last week over delayed implementation of agreements, poor pay and staffing shortages.
The strike has disrupted services in many county hospitals, with thousands of patients forced to seek treatment elsewhere.
KNUN secretary general Seth Panyako welcomed the SRC decision, describing it as a major breakthrough for nurses at the country's largest referral hospital. He did not call off the strike and said it continues.
"We are pleased to inform you that our ongoing nationwide industrial action has yielded significant legal and financial victories for our workforce. Notably, the National Assembly has officially approved the budget allocation for Universal Health Coverage nurses," Panyako said in an update to members.
"Further, following intensive negotiations on Monday this week, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission has approved the enhancement of essential allowances for our members at Kenyatta National Hospital."
He, however, urged county government nurses not to abandon the strike, saying talks on their grievances were still ongoing.
"While we celebrate these landmark milestones, we urge all members within the county governments to remain steadfast and stand firm," Panyako said.
"The SRC is currently convening an executive session including union leadership, the Council of Governors, Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Health among other stakeholders to deliberate on our county government Collective Bargaining Agreement alongside the other grievances outlined in our strike notice."
He said the union was encouraged by the high-level engagement, expressing optimism that county-employed nurses could also secure improvements.
"We are highly encouraged that the relevant national and regional stakeholders have actively engaged in this statutory resolution process. This direct, high-level involvement indicates a strong likelihood of an imminent breakthrough and a mutually beneficial outcome for all our members within the 47 county governments," Panyako said.
The union has been demanding implementation of previous return-to-work agreements, better remuneration, confirmation of UHC nurses into permanent and pensionable terms, promotions, payment of allowances and improved working conditions.
Although the SRC advisory represents significant progress for KNH nurses, negotiations affecting the majority of nurses employed by county governments remain unresolved, meaning the nationwide strike is expected to continue until broader agreements are reached.
Instant analysis
The SRC's approval marks an important breakthrough for nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital but does not resolve the wider industrial dispute affecting county health services. By limiting the enhanced allowances to KNH, the decision creates a distinction between national and county-employed nurses, leaving the main drivers of the nationwide strike unresolved. The development could strengthen the union's bargaining position by demonstrating that negotiations can yield results while increasing pressure on county governments and the Council of Governors to conclude talks. The strike's continuation underscores the complexity of harmonising employment terms across Kenya's devolved healthcare system and workforce.
