Kenya nurses strike over pay and working conditions

Nurses across Kenya have entered a nationwide strike, demanding fair wages and improved working conditions, with Shiru Kihara, a registered nurse from Nairobi, speaking on behalf of the thousands of health workers involved. The industrial action, which began on Monday, follows months of stalled negotiations between the Kenya Nurses Union and the Ministry of Health over salary increments that union leaders say have not kept pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. Kihara highlighted that many nurses receive salaries that are insufficient to cover basic expenses, leading to increased stress and a decline in morale among frontline staff.

The strike has prompted the Ministry of Health to acknowledge the concerns and announce a series of round‑table meetings aimed at reaching a settlement within the next two weeks. While hospitals continue to operate with reduced staffing, emergency services remain functional, and the government has urged the public to seek care at designated facilities to avoid disruptions. Union representatives, including Kihara, have indicated that a resolution will depend on a concrete pay raise and commitments to address workload and safety issues, underscoring the broader challenge of retaining qualified nurses in Kenya’s public health system.