The Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH). Photo/HandoutThe Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has issued a 21-day strike notice to the management of Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) over a raft of unresolved workplace grievances.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, the union said its members had raised concerns over several issues that had not been addressed despite attempts to engage the hospital management.
KNUNM General Secretary Seth Panyako said nurses and midwives would withdraw their labour from 9th November 2026 at 12:01am if the grievances were not resolved within the notice period.
The union, however, said it would ensure continuity of services during the strike but would not allow any new admissions.
Among the grievances raised is the promotion of nurses to permanent and pensionable terms, common-cadre alignment and payment of accrued arrears.
The union is also demanding payment of outstanding gratuity owed to its members and the finalisation and signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the hospital.
Other demands include the review and standardisation of locum rates as well as recognition of higher academic and professional qualifications attained by nurses and midwives.
KNUNM is further seeking formalisation of working hours and compensation for work undertaken during public holidays.
The union has also called for the employment of locum nurses on permanent and pensionable terms, arguing that their current status remains unresolved.
“Despite several attempts by the Union to engage your office and resolve these matters amicably, no meaningful response or resolution has been forthcoming,” Panyako said in the letter.
He said the concerns raised by the union had remained unresolved, prompting the issuance of the strike notice.
The notice was addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of KUTRRH and copied to the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and chapter representatives.
The union has instructed its branch officials to mobilise members for participation in the planned strike should the grievances remain unresolved.
The planned industrial action comes amid ongoing concerns by health workers over employment terms, remuneration and working conditions in public health institutions.
KNUNM urged the hospital management to treat the matter with urgency and address the grievances within the 21-day notice period to avert the strike.
