Crisis in 20 counties as nurses down tools
Nurses across more than 20 Kenyan counties have launched a nationwide strike to protest the government's failure to honor collective bargaining agreements and implement new career guidelines. The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) is demanding action on salary growth, promotions, and the permanent employment of UHC staff, threatening a total withdrawal of services if grievances remain unresolved.
Why it matters
The strike has crippled public healthcare access for thousands of citizens, exacerbating an existing health crisis and highlighting deep-seated labor disputes between medical professionals and the Kenyan government.
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Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako addressing the media.
Patients across more than 20 counties were left without essential care on Thursday after nurses began a nationwide strike, worsening a health crisis already caused by an ongoing industrial action by Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers and several other medics.
Hundreds of members of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) yesterday marched through Nairobi, delivering petitions to the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors (CoG) demanding action on long-standing labour grievances.
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