Kenyatta National Hospital Board (KNH) has signed a return to work formula with the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives ( KNUNM) following talks with the facility's leadership to address outstanding grievances, including non-implementation of previous agreements like CBA Addendum dated 8th September 2025, among other grievances.
The agreement followed severe disruption to patient services for two days due to disputes over pay, statutory deductions, unsatisfactory medical cover, increased workload, common cadre promotions, non-remittance of third-party deductions and pension deficit.
KNH and the union were involved in negotiations over the strike notice subject matter, resulting in an effort to resolve the issues contained in the strike notice.
KNH Management confirmed that the CBA addendum dated 8th September 2025 had been signed and agreed upon and shall be included in the 2025/29 CBA.
On the issue of workload, KNH agreed that they shall continue to recruit locum nurses to reduce workload and ensure continuity of care.
On Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital Transition, Parties agreed that the CEO engages with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the transition committee on the transition process, which will include the option of nurses to return to KNH.
Conversion to permanent and pensionable arrangements will take effect from 1st July 2026.
It was also agreed that no nurse who stayed out of duty in compliance with the strike notice dated 17th February 2026 shall be victimised or intimidated.
In a statement, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also confirmed that the nurses had agreed to resume duty after signing a return-to-work formula addressing their key grievances.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I wish to sincerely thank both negotiating teams for demonstrating goodwill, professionalism, and a shared commitment to resolving the issues at hand,” said Duale.
“Their willingness to engage candidly and expedite the process has led to an agreed return-to-work formula that addresses key concerns raised by our nurses.”
According to Duale, the agreement covers several critical areas, including improved medical cover, structured promotions, measures to ease workload challenges, and the progressive conversion of nurses on contract to permanent and pensionable terms.
Duale also commended KNH management for its openness and flexibility during the talks, noting that the hospital had remained committed to ensuring continuity of essential services throughout the strike period.
“As we move forward, the focus must now shift firmly to delivering quality, timely, and compassionate healthcare services to all Kenyans,” he said, urging nurses to return to work promptly and uphold high standards of patient care.
He added that the Ministry will continue working closely with all stakeholders to ensure full implementation of the agreed resolutions within stipulated timelines, reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthening the health workforce and improving service delivery in public health facilities.
The nurses committed to resume duty on 15th April, 2026 at 7.30 am.
