Health services in Nairobi County ground to a halt today as medical workers in public hospitals officially commenced a widespread strike.
The worker accused Governor Johnson Sakaja of failing to address long‑standing grievances including salary delays and unmet workforce agreements.
The industrial action, which began with doctors in mid‑December 2025 and has since spread to all cadres of health staff, including nurses and laboratory technicians, has paralysed services across the city’s major public facilities.
“We are left with no option but to withdraw our services,” said a senior clinician at Mbagathi Level 5 Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Our salaries have been delayed repeatedly, and our signed agreements have not been implemented.”
Other striking workers have echoed the same frustration.
“Patients are now our greatest concern, but the county government has ignored our repeated appeals,” said a nurse participating in the walk‑out.
“Governor Sakaja has simply not listened to us.”
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and other unions have formally rejected county orders to resume work, dismissing them as ineffective without concrete action on their demands.
In response, the Nairobi County Government previously labelled the earlier stages of the strike illegal, demanding staff return to duty within 12 hours or face disciplinary action.
Health facilities like Mbagathi.Kenyatta National Hospital and other referral hospitals are reported struggling to cope with the influx of untreated patients due to the work stoppage.
In a brief statement earlier this weekend, a spokesperson for Governor Sakaja defended the county’s efforts, saying authorities remain committed to dialogue to avert disruptions but also insisted that services must continue.
However, workers maintain meaningful negotiation has yet to happen.
With services stalled, many patients have been turned away or forced to seek care in private facilities, a significant financial burden for low‑income residents.
“I came for treatment for my son’s fever and was told nobody is available,” said one patient outside a public hospital. “This is dangerous.”
