Nurses and midwives have announced plans for a mega demonstration targeting the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) offices in Nairobi as their nationwide strike enters a fresh phase amid stalled negotiations with the Council of Governors (CoG).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the union said the strike would continue until the SRC issues a letter of no objection to the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), paving the way for its registration at the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
The union said it had been engaged in talks with the CoG and SRC in an effort to resolve the dispute, while acknowledging the role played by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, who chairs the CoG Health Committee.
“We express our profound appreciation to the Chair of the Health Committee at the CoG, H.E. Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, for his consistent and constructive engagement aimed at finding an amicable solution to our grievances,” the statement said.
However, the union accused CoG Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi, the Governor of Wajir County, of maintaining a hardline position on issues raised by nurses and midwives.
It also singled out the SRC as a major obstacle to progress in the negotiations, claiming the commission had declined to issue the letter required for the 2017 CBA to be registered.
“Despite the CoG forwarding the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to the commission, the SRC has flatly refused to issue a letter of no objection, which is legally required to enable the registration of the document in the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC),” the union said.
The union argued that nurses and midwives deserved better remuneration in recognition of the responsibilities they undertake in health facilities across the country.
“The SRC must not stand in the way of better remuneration that properly aligns with the heavy duties and responsibilities our members handle daily in hospitals,” it said.
The planned Nairobi demonstration will be held on Thursday, September 3, with union members expected to assemble at Green Park from 10am before proceeding to the SRC offices.
According to the union, the demonstration will continue from morning until evening and will persist until the commission issues the required letter of no objection.
The union has also announced plans for a separate demonstration in Kisii following an alleged attack on health workers participating in a peaceful protest in the county.
The union accused Kisii Governor Simba Arati of unleashing goons on its members, claiming several health workers were injured and were receiving medical treatment.
“We strongly condemn this cowardly attack, which left several health workers injured and currently receiving medical treatment,” the union said.
It warned that health workers, whom it described as essential service providers, should not be subjected to violence while exercising their rights.
“We firmly inform the Governor that health workers are essential service providers and must never be subjected to violence,” the statement said.
The union said it would mobilise a mega demonstration in Kisii to demand justice for the affected workers and call for Arati's resignation.
The latest announcement signals continued tension between health workers and county governments over the implementation of the CBA and remuneration-related grievances.
The union urged its members across the country to remain united and committed to the strike as negotiations continue.
“Finally, the national strike remains fully on until the SRC issues the letter of no objection regarding our CBA,” the union said.
It called on nurses and midwives to turn out in large numbers for Thursday's demonstrations, with members from Nairobi and surrounding branches expected to converge at Green Park before the procession to the SRC offices.