9,400 nurses to storm Nairobi for mega demos as strike persists

Nurses and midwives from across Kenya, numbering 9,400 in total, are preparing for a major demonstration in Nairobi on September 3, 2026, to air their grievances. The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has notified the Inspector General of Police regarding their plans. The union expects 200 nurses from each of the 47 counties to participate in the procession, which will begin at Green Park, Nairobi, at 9:00 am.

The demonstration will then proceed through the city, culminating at the Council of Governors (CoG) to present their concerns.

KNUNM General Secretary Seth Panyako wrote to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, informing him of the planned gathering and procession, and requesting security during the event. The nurses intend to move from Green Park along Ngong Road to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), and then along Waiyaki Way to Delta House, where they will present their grievances to the Council of Governors.

The demonstration is a response to the ongoing health workers' dispute, which centers on the implementation of agreed terms and conditions of service. Nurses and midwives have been demanding better remuneration and the implementation of essential agreements to improve their working conditions. The procession is expected to put additional pressure on county governments to address nurses' concerns, especially those working in public health facilities.

Meanwhile, the Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi revealed that the two levels of government had offered nurses a proposal, but no progress has been made since 2017. The union is hopeful that, if an agreement is reached, it can be presented to the SRC together.