The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has threatened to issue a strike notice at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital. [File, Standard]
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has threatened to issue a strike notice at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital over the continued employment of nearly 100 nurses on renewable three-month contracts, escalating a long-running labour dispute at Kenya's largest specialised mental health referral hospital.
The warning comes days after The Standard highlighted the plight of contract nurses who say they have remained on short-term contracts since 2021 despite working continuously alongside permanent and pensionable staff.
The nurses alleged they earn about Sh30,000 a month, less than half the salary earned by some permanent colleagues performing similar duties, and are excluded from benefits such as housing, commuter and risk allowances. They also claimed they have no job security, no clear career progression and struggle to access healthcare despite statutory deductions.
KNUN Deputy Secretary General Maurice Odhiambo said the union had now formally taken up the matter and would soon issue a strike notice unless the Ministry of Health addressed the nurses' concerns.
"We are issuing a strike notice for Mathari very soon because the government has refused to give Mathari Hospital the full instruments of being a national hospital, so that nurses and all employees can enjoy the benefits, privileges and standards of a national referral hospital," Odhiambo said.
He said the union would stand with the nurses until their grievances are resolved.
"Whatever happens to nurses at Mathari, we shall pursue it as a union until their rights are upheld."