Kenyatta National Hospital has moved to address concerns over salaries, pension contributions and delayed deductions as nurses threaten to down their tools, warning that the issues raised are tied to broader public sector financing systems.
In a statement issued on April 12, the hospital management said staff salaries have been processed and paid up to March 2026, pushing back on claims of prolonged non-payment raised by the Kenya National Union of Nurses.
The management said while salaries are paid, deductions such as loan repayments and statutory contributions follow structured remittance arrangements linked to the hospital’s cash flow and national health financing systems.
“Staff salaries have been processed and paid up to March 2026. The settlement of statutory and third-party deductions is undertaken through structured remittance arrangements linked to institutional cash-flow cycles,” the statement said.
According to the hospital, a significant portion of its operational funding is derived from reimbursement frameworks under national health financing arrangements, which in turn affect the timing of remittances.
“Consequently, the timing of remittance processing is, in part, influenced by the broader national healthcare financing and reimbursement cycle,” the management said.
The hospital said it is engaging relevant government institutions to ensure the processes are streamlined and obligations met within existing administrative and regulatory frameworks.
On pension concerns raised by union officials, KNH said it continues to operate within established pension administration systems to ensure employer and employee contributions are handled appropriately.
KNH also addressed concerns over prolonged contract terms among nurses, saying it has made progress in transitioning staff to permanent and pensionable positions over the years.
“A significant number of nurses and other healthcare professionals have already transitioned to permanent and pensionable terms, with further discussions ongoing within the appropriate government and institutional frameworks to address the remaining cases,” the management said.
The hospital emphasised its commitment to resolving the dispute through dialogue, noting that consultations are ongoing between management, unions and government stakeholders.
“KNH remains committed to constructive engagement with staff representatives, relevant unions and government stakeholders to resolve the issues raised through dialogue and established dispute-resolution mechanisms,” the statement said.
The clarification comes amid rising tension following a strike notice issued by the Kenya National Union of Nurses, whose secretary general Seth Panyako accused the system of failing health workers through delayed salaries, unresolved deductions and stalled pension payments.
Panyako said some nurses at the country’s largest referral hospital have faced persistent salary challenges, with payments allegedly being absorbed by banks due to unreconciled deductions and loan obligations.
He further claimed that pension payments for retired staff have been delayed, leaving some without financial support after years of service.
The union has maintained that the planned industrial action is driven by members frustrated by long-standing issues affecting their welfare, warning that services could be paralysed if the concerns are not urgently addressed.
KNH, however, has urged all parties to prioritise dialogue, stressing the need to safeguard both staff welfare and patient care.
“As the country’s largest national referral and teaching hospital, KNH remains fully committed to the uninterrupted provision of specialised healthcare services to the public,” the management said.
The hospital called for cooperation among stakeholders as efforts continue to resolve the dispute, even as the threat of a strike raises concerns over potential disruption of critical services.
