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In a letter dated October 13, 2026, union Secretary General Seth Panyako said the planned strike followed repeated attempts to engage hospital management over outstanding employment and remuneration issues.
Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit said political temperatures were rising too early, creating an atmosphere that could further divide Kenyans as the country moves towards the next elections.
The Commission said it was especially concerned by reports of deaths during the strike, with maternal, neonatal and perinatal cases among those reported.
Speaking during a special session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) on Monday, Abdullahi said the agreement was signed “under duress” in the run-up to the 2017 elections but has never been implemented.
The nationwide strike began on July 29 and has disrupted services in public health facilities, leaving patients in some counties to seek treatment from private and mission hospitals.
KNH CEO Dr Richard Lesiyampe said the hospital had seen more patients who would ordinarily receive treatment at county facilities and other hospitals near their homes.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Monday, Olaly said Kenya's health sector has for years struggled with inadequate investment, leaving public health practitioners overwhelmed while millions of Kenyans continue to face challenges accessing quality healthcare.
The Council of Governors has now threatened to seek legal intervention, arguing that the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) called the strike even as talks were ongoing. The governors also warned that they would pursue legal guidance on whether the industrial action is lawful.
Lesiyampe said the shortage has been felt most in busy areas such as maternity and paediatrics, where patient demand often goes beyond what available staff can manage.
In a statement, Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale confirmed that a return-to-work formula had been reached, bringing an end to the disruption at the country’s largest referral hospital.
Acting chief executive officer Richard Lesiyampe on Monday held talks with the striking nurses at the hospital’s administration block in a bid to resolve the standoff, outlining steps management says are already in motion.However, the meeting ended without agreement, though both sides agreed to continue engagement.
KNH noted that its financial operations are largely dependent on reimbursements under national health financing arrangements, which affect the timing of some payments and remittances.
In the notice, union Secretary General Seth Panyako said nurses have endured years of unmet promises despite continuous talks with government agencies and repeated assurances that the agreement would be honoured.
Nurses in the county walked off the job last week after disputes with the county government turned into full-blown industrial action