Nurses strike: KNUN issues 5 demands ahead of planned protests in Nairobi

The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUN) has outlined five demands ahead of a planned protest in Nairobi on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The union intends to march from Green Park to Delta Plaza, home to the Council of Governors, to highlight concerns affecting nurses and midwives. This action follows the recent two-day Kenya Health Summit held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, which focused on the government's progress in Universal Health Coverage, the Social Health Authority (SHA), health financing, and the health workforce.

One of KNUN's key demands is the implementation of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA), as they feel this is essential for addressing their employment terms dissatisfaction. They also demand the introduction of career guidelines for nurses and midwives, stating that without these guidelines, there should be "no work". The union is urging the government to address the UHC payroll controversy, which has been a point of contention as the government expands the SHA and Taifa Care system.

At the Health Summit, President William Ruto defended the reforms, emphasizing that patient experience should be the ultimate measure of reform. The government reported that 32.3 million Kenyans have registered with SHA, and 8 million have received treatment. However, KNUN has added the reinstatement of 46 nurses in Kisii County to their demands, as well as the implementation of the 2017 Return to Work Formula.

The planned protest follows Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale's presentation of the government's health sector scorecard at the summit. Duale highlighted the government's deployment of over 42,000 digital health devices, SHA enrolling 32.3 million Kenyans, and 7,414 UHC staff transitioning to permanent and pensionable terms. Duale also announced plans to recruit 5,000 additional nurses and midwives and deploy 24,573 healthcare interns across all 47 counties.

Additionally, the government has committed Ksh12.5 billion towards maternal and newborn health, including Ksh5 billion annually for nurse recruitment.

As the union marches towards the Council of Governors on Tuesday, the contrast between the government's presentation of progress and KNUN's demands is likely to bring renewed scrutiny to the implementation of health reforms and the working conditions for nurses and midwives in Kenya.