Operations at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are set to face major disruption starting Monday after nurses announced a strike over delayed salaries, unremitted statutory deductions and unresolved pension claims.
The industrial action, called by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives, is expected to significantly affect services at the country’s largest referral hospital, raising concerns over patient care and service delivery.
Union Secretary General Seth Panyako, speaking in Kisumu on Sunday, said the decision to down tools follows years of frustration among nurses who have endured persistent financial challenges without resolution. He noted that many healthcare workers have been pushed to the brink due to delayed payments and lack of transparency in financial management.
Panyako revealed that a section of nurses at the facility have remained on casual employment terms for between four and six years, a situation he described as unfair and demoralising. He attributed this to ongoing funding challenges facing the hospital.
He further claimed that statutory deductions, including loan repayments, are not being remitted as required, exposing nurses to financial risks such as penalties and damaged credit records. According to the union, this has left many workers struggling to meet their personal financial obligations.
The issue of pensions also emerged as a key concern, with Panyako stating that several retired nurses have yet to receive their benefits. He noted that the delays have caused distress among former employees who depend on their pensions for survival after years of service.
While addressing the crisis, the union distanced the hospital’s management from direct blame, instead pointing to broader systemic issues affecting funding. Panyako criticised the centralisation of revenue collection through the government’s e-Citizen platform, arguing that funds collected are not remitted back to the hospital in time to sustain operations.
He questioned how the facility is expected to function effectively without timely access to its revenue, noting that delays affect procurement of essential supplies, including medicine and food for patients.
The union also raised concerns over disparities in pay, alleging that newly recruited staff are earning higher salaries than long-serving nurses.
Panyako maintained that the strike will proceed as planned, warning that nurses will not resume duty until their grievances are fully addressed.
The looming strike now places pressure on authorities to intervene urgently, as patients and their families brace for potential disruptions in critical healthcare services.
 are set to face major disruption starting Monday after nurses announced a strike over delayed salaries, unremitted statutory deductions and unresolved pension claims.){kind=link}