The 43-day nurses’ strike has been called off following a breakthrough in negotiations between healthcare workers and the Council of Governors.

Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Secretary-General Seth Panyako announced the suspension of the prolonged industrial action after the union and the governors reached a series of agreements aimed at addressing key concerns raised by nurses and other healthcare workers.

The breakthrough is expected to bring relief to thousands of patients who have faced disruptions in healthcare services across public hospitals and health facilities during the strike.

According to Panyako, one of the key agreements reached is the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) within 45 days.

The union has also secured an increase in the risk allowance from KSh 3,850 to KSh 8,000, a move that will provide additional compensation to healthcare workers exposed to various occupational risks while carrying out their duties.

Another major agreement concerns workers employed under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.

Panyako said UHC staff will be absorbed into the county government workforce, addressing concerns over job security and the employment status of workers who have been serving under the programme.

Following the agreements, Panyako called on all KNUN members to resume duty within the next 25 hours to allow the implementation process to begin.

“We have finally called off the 43-day strike following a breakthrough in negotiations with the Council of Governors,” Panyako said.

He urged healthcare workers to give room for the agreed measures to be implemented, signalling the end of the prolonged standoff between the nurses’ union and county governments.

The strike had affected the delivery of healthcare services in several counties, with patients forced to seek alternative facilities as public hospitals operated with reduced staffing levels.

The latest agreement now shifts focus to the implementation of the commitments made by the Council of Governors, particularly the 45-day timeline for the CBA and the absorption of UHC workers.

The union is expected to monitor the implementation of the agreements as nurses return to their workplaces, with the government and county authorities under pressure to honour the commitments reached during the negotiations.

The return of nurses to duty is expected to restore normal operations in public health facilities and ease the burden faced by patients and families during the 43-day industrial action.