Uasin Gishu Public Hospitals Paralyzed as Nurses Begin Indefinite Strike Over Salaries, CBA and Promotions

Healthcare services across Uasin Gishu County have been severely disrupted after nurses working in public health facilities commenced an indefinite strike on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, over what they described as the county government's continued failure to address long-standing labour grievances.

The industrial action, called by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) – Uasin Gishu County Branch, is expected to affect services in county referral hospitals, sub-county hospitals, health centres and dispensaries, leaving thousands of patients seeking treatment uncertain about access to healthcare.

The strike was announced by branch officials led by Chair of Midwives Glen Kevin Kimutai, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Representative Bernard Lagat, and Branch Trustee Nancy Chemweno, who said nurses had exhausted all available avenues for dialogue before resorting to industrial action.

The union leaders accused the County Government of Uasin Gishu of failing to honour commitments made to healthcare workers despite numerous meetings and consultations aimed at resolving the issues.

According to the officials, the strike has been triggered by four key grievances that have remained unresolved for months. These include delayed payment of salaries, failure to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), delayed promotions for nurses, and the county's failure to employ nursing interns.

The officials said delayed salaries have placed many nurses under financial strain, making it difficult for them to meet their daily obligations despite continuing to provide essential healthcare services.

They also faulted the county administration for failing to implement provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, arguing that the agreement was negotiated to improve the welfare, working conditions and career progression of nurses but has yet to be fully honoured.

Another major concern raised by the union is the delay in promotions, which they said has left many qualified nurses stagnating in the same job groups despite meeting the required qualifications and years of service.

The officials further criticized the county for failing to absorb nursing interns into employment, saying the move has denied many trained healthcare professionals an opportunity to serve while worsening staff shortages in public health facilities.

Speaking during the announcement of the strike, the union leaders maintained that nurses remain committed to delivering quality healthcare to residents but insisted that they could no longer continue working under conditions they described as unfair and unsustainable.

"We are committed to serving our people, but our welfare must also be respected. Until these issues are addressed, the strike continues," the officials stated.

The union said it had repeatedly engaged the county government in an attempt to find an amicable solution but claimed that the discussions had failed to yield meaningful results, leaving healthcare workers with no option but to withdraw their labour.

The industrial action is expected to significantly affect healthcare delivery across Uasin Gishu County, with patients seeking outpatient services, specialized treatment and routine medical care likely to experience delays or be referred to private health facilities or neighbouring counties.

Residents have now appealed to both the county government and union leaders to engage in urgent dialogue to prevent a prolonged disruption of health services, warning that vulnerable groups, including expectant mothers, children, the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses, could bear the greatest impact if the strike continues.

The Kenya National Union of Nurses has urged the County Government of Uasin Gishu to urgently address the outstanding grievances, implement the agreed labour commitments and engage the union in good faith to facilitate the return of nurses to work and restore normal healthcare services in the county.