The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has scheduled a meeting with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) management as the ongoing nationwide nurses’ strike escalates.

In a statement released on Monday, August 3, 2026, the union reiterated its stance against county-level negotiations, emphasizing that all discussions should be finalised at the national level.

Focus on Comprehensive CBA Resolution

KNUN aims to resolve both county and national collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in a single, conclusive process. The union highlighted this objective following a press conference held on Saturday evening, where it firmly rejected piecemeal county negotiations.

"Our leadership is meeting with the SRC and KNH management today with a clear goal: to settle both county and national CBAs once and for all," the union stated.

Upcoming Demonstration at Council of Governors

To pressure the process, KNUN has organised a significant march to the Council of Governors (CoG) offices scheduled for Thursday, August 6. The union described this event as a pivotal moment in the strike.

Negotiations on the county CBA have reportedly concluded, with the committee agreeing to the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) signed on November 2, 2017, and proposing a Ksh10,000 risk allowance. The CoG’s Full Council will meet on Thursday to approve or reject this framework. Nurses and midwives have been urged to attend in large numbers.

Government Commitments on Employment and Terms

Regarding Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has assured that nurses not absorbed by county governments will be deployed to national referral hospitals. An agreement between Duale and the SRC Chair aims to harmonise terms of service across state corporations to protect nurses from disadvantage.

Furthermore, the union revealed that the government plans to hire 5,000 nurses on permanent and pensionable contracts following the supplementary budget. This move is seen as a significant advancement in securing healthcare workers’ job stability.

KNUN has called on its members to stay united and continue their participation in the industrial action as negotiations proceed.