Kenyan healthcare strike continues

Kenya's healthcare services remain severely disrupted as nurses and midwives continue a nationwide strike, now in its third week. The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives insists demands for better pay, conditions, and full implementation of agreements must be met before they return to public hospitals.The industrial action, which began in late July, has paralyzed operations in public health facilities, forcing patients to seek private alternatives or forgo essential care. Key grievances include increased allowances, permanent contracts for UHC staff, and implementation of career progression guidelines, stalling promotions.The Council of Governors has declared the strike illegal, citing court orders suspending the action and mandating conciliation. Despite these directives and threats of disciplinary action, including staff replacement, the union leadership maintains a firm stance, vowing to continue until a settlement. They argue that recruiting additional nurses would only address staffing shortages, not resolve underlying issues.Union Secretary-General Seth Panyako challenged the national government to assume greater responsibility for healthcare, contending health is a shared constitutional, not solely devolved, responsibility. This dispute highlights challenges within Kenya's healthcare sector: chronic understaffing, underfunding, and complex national-county government responsibilities. The prolonged industrial action risks escalating into a public health emergency if a resolution is not found soon.