The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has urged county governments to implement the proposed 8 percent salary increment for nurses, citing worsening working conditions and stalled contractual reforms.
Speaking during the launch of the 2025 International Nurses Week at the Busia Agricultural Training Centre, KNUNM Deputy Secretary General Maurice Opetu condemned county governments for failing to act on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s (SRC) recommendations.
“The 8 percent increment was approved by SRC for all public workers, including nurses. It is unacceptable that counties have deliberately refused to implement it. This increment must be paid in full, including arrears,” Opetu stated.
He also decried inconsistencies in contractual terms across counties, calling them exploitative. “Contracts should not vary so widely. The terms and conditions should mirror those of regular nurses, differing only in the duration until absorption into permanent terms,” he emphasized.
The union has issued a strike notice in Busia, citing understaffing, poor working conditions, and unaddressed welfare issues. Opetu urged the county government to engage the union to avert the looming crisis. “Nurses are working under pressure. Dialogue and resolution are needed urgently,” he appealed.
Opetu further criticized the existence of discriminatory policies between county and national governments, which he said promote inequality. “Why should a nurse at the national level earn more than one in the county for the same job? These disparities must end.”
Meanwhile, Kenya Progressive Nurses Association (KPNA) chairman Michael Nyongesa praised Busia County for promoting 98 percent of its nurses. He called for continued investment in nurses, emphasizing their central role in healthcare delivery.
Busia Deputy Governor and Health CECM Arthur Odera highlighted the county’s efforts in training nurses, particularly in emergency care and disability-friendly services. He noted that four nurses are now serving as sub-county medical officers, a sign of growing trust in nurse leadership.
The International Nurses Week, themed “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies,” will culminate in Migori County on May 16, 2025.
The weeklong celebration underscores the critical role nurses play in sustaining health systems and economic resilience across the country.
