By OLIVER MUSEMBI
About 800 nurses at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) have called off their planned strike following an agreement with the hospital management to improve their welfare and working conditions.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) Secretary-General Seth Panyako announced that the union had officially and unconditionally withdrawn its 21-day strike notice issued on October 15, following the signing of the hospital’s first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
Speaking at KUTRRH on Friday, November 6, 2026, Panyako said the agreements had addressed all the concerns raised in the strike notice, paving the way for improved staff welfare and uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services.
The deal, which covers more than 800 union members, was signed by Panyako on behalf of the union, while KUTRRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Zeinab Gura appended her signature on behalf of the hospital management.
Panyako described the signing as a historic milestone for nurses and midwives at the facility, noting that the agreement provides for improved financial benefits, career progression and better working conditions.
“This is the first CBA between the hospital management and nurses and midwives at the facility, which establishes a formal framework for addressing their employment terms and professional interests,” Panyako said.
Under the agreement, nursing service, uniform and health risk allowances have been reviewed upwards, while leave benefits have been enhanced to reflect different job classifications.
The agreement has also standardised hourly payment rates for general and specialised locum services. In addition, the hospital has set aside funds to clear outstanding gratuities owed to eligible nursing professionals within the current financial year.
Panyako said the agreement would also provide a framework for career development, with promotions expected to remain an ongoing process.
Among the key gains secured by the union is an increase in the nursing service allowance from Sh20,000 to Sh30,000, uniform allowance from Sh10,000 to Sh25,000 and health risk allowance from Sh3,850 to Sh5,000.
“The union and hospital management will undertake a joint assessment of staff workload and existing skills gaps before internal advertisements are made for available and specialised positions,” the Secretary-General added.
The two parties, he said, would also develop a Locum Policy through a participatory process to guide the engagement and payment of nurses undertaking additional duties.
Panyako said the withdrawal of the strike notice demonstrated the union’s commitment to protecting workers’ interests while ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services.
He commended the hospital management, led by Dr Gura, Labour Officer Cleopas Obiero and the KNUNM chapter leadership for their role in reaching the agreement.
Dr Gura said the CBA, which was approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), marked the beginning of meaningful engagements between the two parties.
“It is our mandate as management to ensure that there is no disruption of services at the hospital, and that is why we are here signing this agreement. We shall keep the doors open for further engagements,” the CEO said.
Dr Gura reiterated that the hospital had set aside funds to clear outstanding gratuities owed to eligible nursing professionals within the current financial year.
