After two weeks of uncertainty in hospitals and health centers across Machakos County, a sense of relief returned yesterday as nurses officially called off their strike and resumed duty.
The industrial action, which began on August 8, had left patients stranded, with many forced to seek services in neighboring counties or private facilities.
The breakthrough came after marathon negotiations between the county government and the Kenya National Union of Nurses & Midwives (KNUNM), Machakos Branch.
Both sides confirmed that six of the seven contentious issues raised by the union had been resolved, with the promotion of nurses now earmarked for phased implementation due to legal and budgetary processes.
In a statement, Governor Wavinya Ndeti expressed gratitude to the nurses for their willingness to return to work.
“We sincerely thank our nurses for their professionalism and dedication to patients during this difficult period, and extend special appreciation to the KNUNM Machakos Branch leadership for the good-faith dialogue that delivered a return-to-work pathway. We remain committed to implementing what we’ve agreed on and assure the people of Machakos County that my administration will continue working tirelessly to ensure they receive the quality healthcare services they deserve,” she said.
As part of the measures to strengthen healthcare delivery, the county has announced the recruitment of 500 additional nurses, a move seen as critical to reducing staff shortages that partly fueled the strike.
According to reports, the new hires will help ease pressure in overstretched health facilities, where the strike had laid bare long-standing gaps in staffing.
Earlier this year, the county also deployed new nurses to various hospitals, but union leaders argued that more comprehensive interventions were needed. The strike amplified calls for promotions, improved working conditions and better deployment of personnel.
For two weeks, public hospitals in Machakos witnessed disruption, with only emergency cases being handled. Patients in need of maternal health, outpatient services and chronic disease management were particularly affected.
Media coverage documented queues of residents traveling to neighboring counties such as Nairobi and Kitui to seek care.
Health analysts noted that the stalemate highlighted the broader challenges facing Kenya’s county-managed health systems, where industrial disputes often arise over delayed promotions, salary adjustments and staff shortages.
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