Nurses Set for Nationwide Strike on August 8 Over Broken Promises

Kenya News – Kenyan nurses are gearing up for a countrywide strike on August 8, 2025, following what they term as continuous disregard for their welfare by both county and national governments.

Kenyan nurses during a past peaceful protest. Photo: Courtesy

Frustrations Boil Over

Henry Adolwa, a National Trustee at the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), declared that the strike had become unavoidable due to failed talks and ignored agreements.

“The county governments have failed to implement the CBA. We’ve run out of patience. On August 8, nurses across the nation will stop working in a protest like no other,” Adolwa warned.

What’s Fueling the Strike?

Among the union’s top concerns is the government’s reluctance to move nurses under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative to permanent and pensionable terms, despite previous promises.

KNUN also criticized county governments for ignoring the 2024 salary review by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). At the national level, the union blames authorities for breaching the 2017 return-to-work agreement and for delaying the finalization of new Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

Peaceful March Ahead of D-Day

To prepare the public and put pressure on decision-makers, the union plans a peaceful procession on August 5, 2025. In a letter dated July 31, signed by Secretary General Seth Panyako, KNUN requested police security for the demonstration.

The nurses will gather at Green Park Railways at 9:00 a.m., then march along Ngong Road to Afya House to deliver a petition to Health CS Aden Duale. They’ll proceed to Parliament Road to present petitions to the Speakers of both the Senate and National Assembly before returning to disperse at Green Park.

According to KNUN, the protest is intended to shine a spotlight on the unresolved issues facing health workers, particularly nurses working under the UHC program.

What’s Next?

Unless urgent action is taken, Kenya could face significant disruption in its healthcare services from August 8 as thousands of nurses prepare to walk off the job. The union insists that their demands are not only long overdue but critical to protecting the future of nursing in Kenya.