Counties move to discipline striking nurses as union vows defiance

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Striking nurses outside the CoG Headquarters in Nairobi on August 13, 2026, despite disciplinary action taken by several county governments. [Gloria Milimu, Standard]

Nurses under the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) say they will not return to work despite disciplinary action launched against striking members in several counties.

Union officials made the declaration in Nairobi on Thursday, August 13, during a march to the Council of Governors (CoG) offices, saying nurses would not be intimidated into ending a strike now in its third week.

Nyandarua and Mombasa have joined other counties implementing a CoG directive to discipline striking health workers, KNUNM said. Kericho, Embu, Kisumu and Uasin Gishu have issued show-cause letters, opened disciplinary processes or begun hiring replacement staff, according to the union.