Nurses and midwives at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) could go on strike from November 9, 2026, following a 21-day strike notice issued by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KUNM) over unresolved workplace grievances.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, and signed by the union’s General Secretary, Seth Panyako, KUNM notified the hospital’s management of its intention to call a strike if the outstanding issues are not addressed within the notice period.
The union listed several grievances, including the promotion of members to permanent and pensionable terms, alignment of common cadres and payment of accrued arrears.
Other demands include the settlement of outstanding gratuity, finalisation and signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and the review and standardisation of locum rates.
KUNM is also seeking recognition of higher academic and professional qualifications, formalisation of working hours and compensation for work done on public holidays.
The union further wants locum nurses to be employed and those serving on locum terms converted to permanent and pensionable employment.
According to the notice, nurses and midwives will withdraw their labour from 12:01 a.m. on November 9 if the issues remain unresolved.
The union stated that services would continue during the strike, but the hospital would not admit new patients.
Copies of the strike notice were sent to the Cabinet Secretaries for Labour and Social Protection and Health, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), and the union’s chapter representatives.
The planned industrial action places pressure on the hospital’s management to resolve the outstanding employment issues before the notice period expires.
