Public hospitals across Kenya are set to resume normal operations after nurses agreed to end their five-week nationwide strike following a breakthrough deal with the Council of Governors. The agreement, announced on Tuesday during the National and County Government Co-ordinating Summit at State House in Nairobi, brings hope to millions of patients who have been unable to access healthcare services.
The Council of Governors chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi made the announcement, revealing that the agreement was reached through the efforts of the health committee. According to Abdullahi, the deal addresses key concerns raised by the nurses and includes significant improvements to their compensation packages. He stated that the government worked hard to reach a settlement that would satisfy both parties, showing commitment to resolving the healthcare workers’ grievances.
Under the proposed agreement, nurses will receive an additional Ksh 8,000 in risk allowance and Ksh 5,000 in uniform allowance. This means the total increase in these two allowances will amount to Ksh 13,000, a substantial boost to their monthly earnings. While negotiations were tough, Abdullahi noted that both sides were willing to compromise to bring services back to normal in public health facilities.
The nurses, who have been camping outside the Council of Governors offices all week, demanded that their voices be heard before any deal was signed. Their persistence paid off, as the government finally agreed to address their long-standing complaints. The nurses maintained that they would not return to work until a proper agreement was put in writing, showing their determination to secure better working conditions.
Beyond the immediate allowance increases, the nurses pushed for several other important demands. They wanted the government to finalize and implement the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which would set out terms for their employment over the next five years. They also demanded permanent and pensionable employment status for staff working under Universal Health Coverage, job security that has been a major concern in the healthcare sector.
Career progression and promotions were another key issue for the nursing workforce. Many nurses felt stuck in their positions without clear pathways for advancement, and they wanted this addressed in the new agreement. Additionally, the nurses called for the reinstatement of 46 nurses who were dismissed by Kisii County, arguing that these workers deserved a second chance and proper procedures should have been followed.
The doctors’ union has been watching these negotiations closely. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union issued a seven-day notice on Monday, warning that doctors could also take industrial action if the matter was not resolved. Healthcare workers have expressed frustration over the prolonged disruption to services in public hospitals and the added workload placed on those who continued working during the strike.
While the allowance increases have been agreed upon, other demands require more time to work through. Abdullahi announced that the government will review the nurses’ allowances again in 2027, suggesting that there may be further discussions about compensation in the future. This shows that while an agreement has been reached, the conversation between healthcare workers and the government is far from over.
The signing ceremony for the agreement is expected to take place after the summit concludes, giving nurses the official confirmation they need to return to their duties. Healthcare workers and patients alike are hoping that this marks the end of the crisis and the beginning of normal service delivery in Kenya’s public hospitals. The strike has highlighted the importance of fair working conditions and proper compensation for those who work tirelessly to care for the nation’s health.
With this deal in place, Kenyans can look forward to accessing healthcare services once more, though many will remember the difficult weeks when the healthcare system was brought to a standstill. The resolution also sends a message that negotiations and dialogue can lead to solutions, even in the most challenging situations.
