On Thursday, nurses under the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) took to the streets of Nairobi, marking the start of a nationwide strike to press for long-standing labour demands.

The demonstrators marched through the city, carrying placards and blowing whistles before gathering outside Afya House to present their grievances. They also planned to submit a petition to the Council of Governors, urging the signing and implementation of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Key Issues Raised

  • Implementation of agreements affecting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff
  • Employment concerns and job security
  • Harmonisation of employment processes across counties

Maurice Opetu, KNUN secretary general, addressed the protesters outside Afya House, stating the strike will persist until the issues are resolved. He also announced plans for similar demonstrations in other regions in the coming days.

The nurses called for continued dialogue and a lasting solution to grievances that have remained unaddressed for years. Opetu emphasized the need for negotiations at the national level to achieve a comprehensive resolution.