Patients in need of critical medical care could face growing risks if the nationwide nurses’ strike continues, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) warning that the disruption has become a human rights and public health concern.
KNCHR Chairperson Claris Ogangah said the dispute had reached a point where it could no longer be viewed only through the lens of employment relations, as the interruption of health services continues to affect patients.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 4, 2026, Ogangah called on the National and County Governments to take immediate steps to restore essential services while addressing the grievances raised by nurses.
“The disruption threatens the rights of patients to life, the highest attainable standard of health, emergency medical treatment and dignity,” Ogangah said in a statement issued on Friday.
The Commission said it was especially concerned by reports of deaths during the strike, with maternal, neonatal and perinatal cases among those reported.
It said the deaths and the circumstances in which they occurred should be independently verified to determine the extent of the strike’s impact on patients.
Ogangah called on the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, together with the Ministry of Health and county health authorities, to examine mortality recorded during the strike and compare it with figures from similar periods.
According to Ogangah, such a review would help establish both the circumstances and causes of the reported deaths and guide measures needed to stop further loss of life.
She noted that the Constitution guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health and provides for access to emergency medical treatment.
“The continued disruption of health services exposes patients to preventable suffering, indignity and loss of life, and undermines the realisation of Universal Health Coverage,” she stated.
KNCHR said the effects of the strike were likely to be most severe for people who depend heavily on regular and specialised medical care.
Among those identified as particularly vulnerable were expectant and new mothers, newborns, children, older persons, people with disabilities and patients with chronic illnesses.
The Commission said essential services must remain available, including maternity and neonatal care, emergency treatment, intensive care, dialysis, oncology, trauma care, ambulance services and referrals.
While raising concern over the effect on patients, KNCHR also recognised the rights of nurses and other health workers to fair labour practices, fair remuneration, safe workplaces, collective bargaining and lawful industrial action.
“Nurses are the backbone of healthcare delivery and must be accorded working conditions and compensation commensurate with the vital and often high-risk services they provide,” she said.
The Commission urged both levels of government to honour collective bargaining agreements with health workers, including the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
It said the continued failure by the National Government, county governments and State agencies to work together in resolving the dispute was unacceptable.
KNCHR further raised concerns over reports of threats, intimidation and attacks against nurses involved in peaceful demonstrations and the presentation of petitions.
It asked the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Ministry of Health and Council of Governors to support structured negotiations conducted in good faith, with the aim of reaching a settlement within a clear timeline.
The Commission also proposed an immediate return-to-work arrangement that would protect essential services as discussions on the nurses’ grievances continue.
It called on the Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure patients who have to seek treatment outside public hospitals can use alternative accredited facilities without being subjected to prohibitive out-of-pocket costs.
Ogangah also urged the National Treasury to provide counties with adequate and predictable funding to ensure devolved health services are not disrupted.
“The rights and dignity of nurses must be respected; equally, the rights and dignity of patients must be protected,” Ogangah said.
“Kenya must not be forced to choose between the two.”
KNCHR said it would continue tracking the human rights effects of the strike, including delays in emergency care, interruptions to maternity and neonatal services and difficulties accessing specialised treatment.