Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to resolve outstanding issues behind the ongoing nurses’ strike, which has disrupted health services across the country.
Speaking on Monday during a special session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) in Karen, Nairobi, Kindiki said the industrial action had affected the smooth delivery of healthcare services and urged the parties to conclude consultations “as soon as possible” to allow nurses to resume work.
“I am aware that the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives Union is on strike,” Kindiki said.
“This industrial action has affected the smooth delivery of health services across the country.”
“I wish to encourage the Council of Governors, in consultation with SRC, to conclude on the outstanding issues as soon as possible to facilitate resumption of services,” he added.
Kindiki’s appeal comes as the nationwide nurses’ strike entered its 34th day on Monday, after commencing on July 29, 2026.
The strike, called by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), is over a range of unresolved employment, remuneration and welfare concerns.
Among the union's key demands are the conclusion and implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), implementation of the 2017 Return-to-Work Agreement, permanent and pensionable employment for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers and implementation of career progression guidelines.
The union has also demanded the reinstatement of 46 nurses in Kisii County.
The strike has affected services in public hospitals, including maternity, neonatal and routine care, with some facilities reporting increased pressure as patients seek services elsewhere.
Nurses have maintained that the strike will continue until key agreements are implemented.
The union has previously accused the CoG and SRC of failing to resolve longstanding disputes despite repeated engagements.
Kindiki's intervention came during an IBEC meeting convened to address outstanding health-sector matters, including the transfer of UHC health workers to county governments and the timely remittance of Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions.
He said the transition of UHC workers must be “smooth, lawful and sustainable”, with the two levels of government required to address issues around human-resource planning, financing, remuneration, terms of service and continuity of healthcare.
The Deputy President also urged the parties to approach the negotiations through consultation and cooperation, saying healthcare should remain focused on citizens rather than institutional boundaries.
“A Kenyan seeking healthcare does not experience the National Government and County Government as separate institutions. They experience one health care system,” Kindiki said.
The dispute has continued despite attempts at dialogue.
In early August, SRC invited KNUNM and the CoG for consultations, saying dialogue remained the best way to resolve the grievances affecting nurses and midwives.
Kindiki's call now places renewed pressure on the CoG and SRC to reach an agreement and bring an end to a strike that has continued to affect healthcare delivery across Kenya.