Healthcare at Kenyatta National Hospital was disrupted as nurses proceeded to strike in order to address their long-standing grievances that touch on their welfare and working conditions.
The nurses at Kenya National Union of Nurses, led by KNH branch secretary Linus Khanate, submitted a list of protests for the issues of staff shortages, inadequate medical cover, delayed promotions, non-remittance of statutory deductions among others.
Moreover, they claimed that the hospital has been very understaffed despite its recent expansion. According to the union, the facility only has about 1,300 nurses against a requirement of 1 800 which has led to considering the existing staff under too much pressure and their performance of service being compromised.
The nurses’ strike paralysed the country’s largest referral hospital almost completely, and they peacefully demonstrated inside the hospital premises.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe, in charge of hospital management, stated that he had assigned management and temporary nurses to reduce the effect of the strike and keep the essential services running.
Dr. Lesiyampe admitted that there is a problem with the medical cover which he assured that a plan for the remedy is already there, comprises of payment of the pension deficits and changing of contract staff into permanent and pensionable terms that would be effective from July 1, 2026. Nevertheless, the nurses are determined to continue with the strike.
