President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government is bracing for widespread industrial action as workers in education and healthcare threaten strikes over unpaid salary adjustments.
The planned strikes, set to begin this month, are expected to disrupt operations in public universities and state-owned hospitals. The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) have both issued strike notices, citing unmet pay agreements.
KNUN issued a 21-day strike notice on December 23, accusing the government of discrimination against nurses and failure to implement their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). “We have supported this government, but our patience is being taken for granted,” said KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako, warning that the strike would persist indefinitely until their demands are met.
Similarly, UASU issued a 15-day notice on January 1, urging the government to honor the 2021-25 CBA. Organizing Secretary Onesmus Mutio criticized the failure to include new salaries and arrears for October and November in December paychecks, despite directives from the Ministry of Education.
These labor disputes add to the administration’s challenges amid an ongoing economic crisis. Experts warn that prolonged strikes could further harm the nation’s economic prospects.
The lecturers’ union had previously ended a strike on November 23, 2023, after signing a return-to-work agreement, but frustration is growing over the unfulfilled promises. Both unions remain resolute, escalating pressure on the government to address their grievances.
