KUTRRH Nurses Threaten November Strike as Dispute Over Pay and Contracts Deepens

Patients seeking admission at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital could face disruption from November 9 if management fails to resolve nurses’ grievances within 21 days.

Nurses and midwives at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) have threatened to go on strike in November, warning that a dispute over employment terms, unpaid dues and career progression remains unresolved.

The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has given the hospital until November 9 to address its demands or face industrial action from 12.01am that day.

The planned strike could affect patients who need to be admitted to the facility. In its notice, the union said it would maintain services for existing patients but would not allow new admissions if the strike proceeds.

The notice, dated October 13 and signed by union Secretary-General Seth Panyako, follows what the union describes as unsuccessful attempts to resolve the dispute through engagement with hospital management.

“Despite several attempts by the Union to engage your office and resolve these matters amicably, no meaningful response or resolution has been forthcoming,” Panyako said in the letter.

The union is now calling for urgent action before the deadline expires.

What the nurses want resolved

The dispute covers several aspects of nurses’ employment, from the security of their contracts to pay, working hours and professional recognition.

Among the union’s demands is the confirmation of eligible nurses and midwives to permanent and pensionable terms. It is also seeking the alignment of staff under common-cadre structures, payment of accrued arrears and outstanding gratuity.

KNUNM wants the hospital to conclude and sign a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) setting out employment terms and conditions.

Other demands include standardised rates for locum nurses, recognition of higher academic and professional qualifications, formal working-hour arrangements and compensation for duties performed on public holidays.

The union is also seeking permanent and pensionable employment terms for locum nurses whose status remains unresolved. These demands point to a wider dispute over how nurses are employed, rewarded and given opportunities to progress professionally.

For the union, the issue is not simply about pay. It also concerns whether staff have clear employment terms and whether additional qualifications and duties are recognised.

Why the strike threat matters for patients

KUTRRH provides teaching, referral and research services, making continuity of care an important concern if the dispute escalates.

The union has said it will continue attending to existing patients during the planned industrial action. However, its decision not to accept new admissions could leave patients and referring facilities needing to make alternative arrangements if the strike goes ahead.

The extent of any disruption will depend on whether a settlement is reached and what service arrangements are put in place.

As of the latest reports on October 15, the strike remained a threat rather than a confirmed work stoppage. The hospital’s management had not issued a response in the reports reviewed.

A familiar challenge in Kenya’s health sector

The notice comes amid continuing disputes over healthcare workers’ pay, staffing arrangements and working conditions in public institutions.

A separate development at Kenyatta National Hospital illustrates how such disagreements can be addressed through negotiations. KNUNM signed a new CBA with KNH in October, with the agreement covering matters including uniform allowances and working conditions.

That agreement does not resolve the separate dispute at KUTRRH, but it shows that negotiated settlements remain possible when unions and hospital management reach terms they can accept.

For KUTRRH, the immediate challenge is to find a way forward before the November deadline. The union has copied its notice to the Cabinet Secretaries responsible for health and labour, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and its branch representatives.

The coming weeks will determine whether the parties can settle the grievances without disrupting services.

For patients, the key concern is straightforward: whether the dispute can be resolved before it affects access to care.

Category: News

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About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.