Nurses Union Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Delayed 2017 CBA Implementation

By : Mweru Mbugua 

The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has issued a seven-day nationwide strike notice, warning that its members will withdraw their labour if the government fails to fully implement the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Speaking to the press on January 17, Secretary General Seth Panyako said nurses had waited for years for the government to honour the agreement despite repeated engagements and promises

He expressed frustration over continued delays, insisting that recommendations by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) must be implemented in full and without alteration

The union’s strike notice demands the full and unconditional execution of the 2017 CBA, including harmonised salaries and allowances as guided by SRC advisories. It also calls for payment of all negotiated allowances, including risk, extraneous, uniform, and commuter allowances

Additionally, the union is seeking the absorption of nurses employed under the Universal Health Coverage programme into permanent and pensionable terms, payment of pending salary arrears, and clear deployment and transfer guidelines to prevent arbitrary postings

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The notice also raised concerns over working conditions, urging the government to ensure adequate staffing, medical insurance coverage, safe work environments, and access to training and study leave as provided for under the CBA

“We appeal to all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors, to intervene constructively and bring these matters to an amicable and sustainable resolution for the benefit of the Kenyan public and the health sector at large,” Panyako said

He warned that failure to address all issues within the seven-day notice period would trigger a nationwide strike across all counties, potentially paralyzing services in public hospitals