Nurses' strike puts patients at risk as KNCHR, COFPAK seek Ruto intervention

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Nurses and Midwives protest along the streets of Nairobi on August 25 2026 demanding the implementation of the CBA. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

The nurses’ strike has escalated into a public health and human rights crisis, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has warned, as a patients’ rights group called on President William Ruto to intervene and end the standoff.

KNCHR said the prolonged disruption of health services was threatening patients’ rights to life, healthcare, emergency treatment and dignity, particularly among vulnerable groups.

The Commission said it had taken note of reports of 79 deaths recorded between Monday and Wednesday, comprising eight maternal, 16 neonatal and 55 perinatal deaths.