KNH Dismisses Salary Delay Claims as Nurses’ Strike Kicks Off

Tension gripped Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) as a nurses’ strike officially began, disrupting services and leaving patients stranded. The walkout followed growing frustration among nurses who claimed persistent salary delays and unmet agreements.

However, hospital management quickly moved to dismiss the allegations. In a statement, Kenyatta National Hospital insisted that salaries had been processed on time and that claims of delays were misleading. The administration urged nurses to return to work, warning that the strike risked putting lives in danger.

Outside the hospital’s gates, the reality painted a different picture. Groups of nurses gathered, holding placards and chanting, demanding fair treatment and timely pay. For many, the issue went beyond salaries. They cited poor working conditions, long hours, and a lack of support as key reasons behind their decision to strike.

Patients and their families bore the immediate impact. Long queues formed as the few remaining staff struggled to handle emergencies. Some patients were forced to seek services in private facilities, while others waited anxiously, unsure of when normal operations would resume.

Health experts warned that prolonged strikes could strain an already burdened healthcare system. They called for urgent dialogue between hospital management and union representatives to resolve the standoff before it escalated further.

As the situation unfolded, the standoff highlighted deeper challenges within the public health sector—issues of trust, communication, and worker welfare. While management maintained its stance, nurses remained firm, signaling that the strike would continue until their concerns were fully addressed.

For now, uncertainty hangs over Kenyatta National Hospital, with patients caught in the middle of a conflict that demands swift and meaningful resolution.

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By Alain Mugisho Nabalinda