Kenya Medical Association calls for permanent labour dialogue as nurses’ strike enters 5th week

The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) is urging the government to establish permanent structures for labour dialogue following the ongoing nurses' strike, which entered its fifth week on September 3, 2026. KMA argues that repeated strikes reveal weaknesses in how labour disputes are managed in Kenya's healthcare system. The association proposes the creation of Works Councils at both national and county levels to provide a continuous forum for health workers, unions, and government employers to address grievances before they escalate into strikes.

KMA asserts that recurring industrial action indicates systemic governance failures, including delayed implementation of negotiated agreements, inconsistent engagement with health workers, and weak dispute resolution mechanisms. The nurses' strike, initiated by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) on July 29, 2026, has affected patients and threatens Kenya's progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

KNUNM demands the implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and other employment commitments, with nurses planning a major demonstration in Nairobi. KMA urges the Ministry of Health, Council of Governors, and Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council to support the establishment of these Works Councils, monitor CBA and other negotiated commitments, and resolve disputes before they escalate.

The association calls for the publication of the implementation status of existing agreements and the creation of a joint implementation committee to track commitments and ensure accountability.