Public healthcare services are set to resume across the country after union officials and government leaders reached a breakthrough agreement to end the 43-day national nurses’ strike.
The resolution came following intense, emergency negotiations between representatives from the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), the Council of Governors (CoG), and the Ministry of Health. Union leadership confirmed the suspension of all industrial action, directing healthcare workers to report back to their stations immediately.
Negotiators finalized a structured agreement addressing long-standing grievances regarding delayed promotions, staffing shortages, and working conditions.
The deal incorporates enhanced risk and service allowances alongside commitments to improve overall health worker welfare.
The agreement guarantees that no nurse will face victimisation or disciplinary action for participating in the strike.
Speaking after the signing of the accord, union representatives expressed regret over the prolonged disruption to public medical services while emphasizing that the strike was a last resort to secure critical reforms in the health sector. Health officials commended both sides for engaging in dialogue to resolve the standoff and assured the public that emergency and routine services would normalize within 25 to 48 hours.
The end of the dispute brings critical relief to thousands of patients nationwide who faced severe paralysis of health services in public hospitals.
