Nurses Insist Strike Continues Despite Court Orders
The National Union of Nurses in the country has declared it will press ahead with its ongoing industrial action, rejecting court directives ordering members to resume duty.
Union Secretary General Seth Panyako stated that nurses will stay away from work until the government fully implements the return-to-work formula agreed in 2017. He emphasised that the current administration has yet to honour those long-standing commitments.
Panyako pointed out that agreements reached with other groups after the 2017 labour disputes have been fulfilled, with some workers already paid their arrears. He questioned why nurses appear to be treated differently, saying the union does not understand why the government seems to view them as less important. The official made these remarks during a press briefing on Saturday as the strike continued to affect public health facilities.
Addressing the court orders, Panyako acknowledged the legal consequences of defying them but accused the courts, the Council of Governors and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission of blocking progress since 2016. He said the union remains prepared to appear in court and accept any punishment that might follow if that is what it takes for nurses to gain respect. “Otherwise, there is no going back to work,” he insisted.
The industrial action has disrupted operations at public hospitals across the country. Kenyatta National Hospital advised patients with non-emergency conditions to seek care elsewhere while the strike persists. Union leaders maintain that only full implementation of previous agreements will end the work stoppage and restore normal services.
The standoff highlights unresolved issues from earlier negotiations and the challenges of balancing legal rulings with labour demands. As the strike enters another phase, patients and health administrators continue to feel the impact while both sides hold firm positions. The union’s firm stance signals that a resolution may still take time.
