KUTRRH nurses issue 21-day strike notice over unresolved grievances

The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has informed Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) that it will commence a 21-day strike on November 9, 2026, if the hospital's management does not resolve the union's employment grievances. KNUNM General Secretary Seth Panyako addressed the issue in a letter dated October 13, 2026.

The union has seven demands, encompassing promotion to permanent and pensionable positions for nurses, alignment of job cadres, payment of outstanding arrears and gratuities, signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), standardisation of locum rates, and recognition of advanced academic qualifications. Other concerns include formalising working hours, compensating for public holiday duties, and converting locum nurses to permanent roles with pension eligibility.

KNUNM has attempted to negotiate with KUTRRH management but their issues remain unresolved. The union has instructed its representatives to mobilise nurses and midwives for the strike set to commence at 12:01 a.m. on November 9, 2026. However, KNUNM has assured that during the industrial action, services will continue without any new admissions.

Panyako stated, “All nurses and midwives at KUTRRH will completely withdraw their labor on 9th November, 2026 at 00:01AM and will remain on strike until the issues are fully addressed. However, the union shall ensure continuity of services with no new admission.”