Health workers in Murang’a County have joined ongoing nurses’ protests, intensifying a nationwide strike that has entered its third week and severely disrupted medical services.
On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, nurses marched through Murang’a town, presenting their grievances at the county headquarters. Lucy Mburu, chairperson of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Murang’a branch, reiterated demands for the full implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with the former county governor, including the payment of outstanding salary arrears from that period.
Mburu emphasized the union’s position:
- Enforce the provisions of the 2017 CBA without delay.
- Settle all unpaid salaries owed since 2017.
- Urged patients to seek care at private facilities and hold the government accountable for the strike.
Meanwhile, KNUN leadership is scheduled to meet with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and Kenyatta National Hospital management to push for resolution at the national level. The union has firmly rejected county-level negotiations, insisting on a comprehensive settlement covering both county and national agreements.
In a statement released on August 3, KNUN announced plans for a significant march to the Council of Governors (CoG) offices on August 6, describing it as a critical step in advancing the strike.
The union noted that negotiations on the county CBA have concluded, with the negotiating committee agreeing on the Return-to-Work Formula signed in November 2017 and proposing a Ksh10,000 risk allowance. The CoG is expected to meet on August 6 to decide on the acceptance of this framework.
KNUN has called on all nurses and midwives to participate in the march, underscoring the importance of unified action in achieving their demands.
