10Th May, 2025 1603Hrs
Kenya’s nursing workforce has issued a stern warning to the government, rejecting the proposed transfer of their payroll management from the national government to county governments. The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) says it will mobilize a nationwide strike if their salary and employment demands are not urgently addressed.
KNUN Secretary-General Seth Panyako on Friday led a charged press briefing in Nairobi, where he accused the government of neglecting the welfare of nurses. He termed the payroll devolution plan “an act of sabotage” that would expose health workers to irregular payments and political manipulation at the county level.
“We are not going to allow the shifting of nurses’ salaries to counties. This is a red line. Counties have consistently failed to pay health workers on time and with consistency,” said Panyako.
The payroll transition plan is part of ongoing efforts by the national government to align health services with the devolved system. However, health professionals argue that most counties lack the capacity, transparency, and accountability to manage salaries and human resource needs effectively.
Mounting Grievances in the Health Sector
At the heart of the dispute is a string of longstanding grievances by nurses, including delayed salaries, lack of promotions, poor working conditions, understaffing, and unpaid allowances. Many nurses working in county hospitals have complained of going for months without pay.
Panyako noted that since devolution took effect in 2013, county governments have mismanaged the health sector, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among workers and declining service delivery.
“This government is pushing us to the wall. We cannot take it anymore. Nurses will down their tools starting next week if the national government does not listen,” he declared.
The union is demanding the immediate harmonization of salaries, reinstatement of nurses who were wrongfully dismissed during previous industrial actions, and the fulfillment of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
National vs. County Health Management
The national government has maintained that since health services are devolved, county governments should handle human resource issues, including recruitment, remuneration, and promotions.
However, health unions and stakeholders have raised concerns about the fragmented structure that has emerged, leading to disparities in pay, benefits, and job security across counties.
Panyako emphasized that nurses are not against devolution per se, but they want a centralized payroll system similar to that of teachers under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
“We want the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Ministry of Health to create a National Health Service Commission to manage health workers’ affairs. That is the only way to ensure fairness, accountability, and motivation in our sector,” he stated.
Implications for Healthcare Delivery
A nationwide strike by nurses would paralyze public health services across Kenya, particularly in rural areas where nurses are the backbone of medical care. Past strikes have led to significant suffering among patients, overcrowding in private facilities, and a spike in preventable deaths.
The Ministry of Health has yet to formally respond to the strike threat, although insiders say high-level consultations are underway to avert the looming crisis.
Meanwhile, patients and civil society groups have called on both levels of government to urgently engage in dialogue with health workers to prevent service disruption.
As tension continues to build, KNUN has asked all nurses to stay alert for further instructions and prepare for mass industrial action unless a solution is reached in the coming days.
