Patients in Kenya received temporary relief after a court suspended a nationwide nurses’ strike. The industrial action, announced by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), began on July 29, 2026, disrupting healthcare services across the country.

In a case challenging the legality of the strike, Justice Monica Mbaru directed the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) to instruct its members taking part in the industrial action to resume work in an effort to prevent a wider healthcare crisis.

Justice Mbaru further warned that nurses who fail to comply with the directive could face disciplinary action.

“Any KNUN member who fails to report on duty without a proper reason shall pave the way for counties to take the necessary action,” she said.

The case was filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court by the Mombasa County Government and joined by 46 other counties as interested parties. The petition sought to resolve the nurses’ strike, which had disrupted healthcare services across Kenya.

“Operations at key medical facilities across Mombasa County have been paralysed following the nurses’ strike that began on July 29, 2026,” the county said.

In its court submissions, Mombasa County argued that the strike could lead to widespread suffering, increase the risk of injuries, and endanger the lives of critically ill patients.

In his submissions, Mombasa County Public Service Board Chief Executive Officer Fadhil Maamun said that while some of the nurses’ concerns had already been addressed, resolving others would require consultations with relevant national institutions, including the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

While the court’s directive is expected to restore healthcare services across public health facilities, KNUN maintains that several grievances remain unresolved.

Among the issues raised by the union are delays in promotions, failure by some counties to remit statutory pension and loan deductions, poor working conditions, and delays in confirming Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to permanent and pensionable terms.

Although the court’s directive is expected to restore normal healthcare services, discussions between the nurses’ union and the relevant authorities are expected to continue as both sides seek to resolve the outstanding issues.