KNH Dismisses Salary Delay Claims as Nurses’ Strike Kicks Off

The management of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has moved to reassure staff and the public that there is no salary crisis at the facility, even as nurses continue with their strike action.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe said all employees have been paid up to March 2026, dismissing claims of unpaid wages circulating among staff and unions.

“All employees have been paid their salaries up to March 2026,” Lesiyampe said, firmly shutting down allegations of salary arrears.

However, he noted that while salaries are not in question, the same cannot always be said for statutory and third-party deductions, which follow a more complex payment process tied to government reimbursement cycles.

“A significant portion of the Hospital’s operational funding is derived from reimbursement frameworks under national health financing arrangements. Consequently, the timing of remittance processing is influenced by the broader healthcare financing cycle,” he said.

The clarification comes after the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) raised concerns over delayed remittances and later escalated the matter into a strike, citing frustrations over staff welfare and financial accountability.

At KNH, the situation has created a familiar but uneasy rhythm—busy wards, stretched teams, and staff navigating uncertainty while official statements attempt to steady the mood.

Lesiyampe said the hospital is engaging relevant government institutions to ensure all obligations, including pension contributions, are processed in line with established administrative and regulatory systems.

He further revealed that KNH is also working on long-term reforms aimed at improving employee welfare, including transitioning some contract staff into permanent and pensionable terms.

“As the country’s largest national referral and teaching hospital, KNH remains fully committed to uninterrupted provision of specialized healthcare services,” he said.

For now, the hospital maintains that salaries are up to date, while nurses insist their concerns remain unresolved. The disagreement continues to play out in real time, even as patients walk through the gates expecting one thing only—care that does not pause for disputes.