High Court orders striking nurses back to work

The StandardParty-alignedCenter7 hr. ago

The Kenyan High Court has ordered striking nurses to return to work immediately, threatening them with disciplinary action if they remain absent without lawful cause. The ruling was issued by Justice Monica Mbaru in the Employment and Labour Court in Mombasa, which halted a nationwide nurse strike that began on July 29, 2026. The order was made following a petition by Mombasa County Government and its Public Service Board, which argued that the strike has severely disrupted public hospital services across all 47 counties, endangering patients requiring emergency and inpatient care. The nurses, represented by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), had protested over issues including delayed payments, unfulfilled terms of the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement, implementation of the 2017 Return to Work Formula, pension terms under Universal Health Coverage, and the reinstatement of 46 nurses dismissed in Kisii County. The court directed county labor officers to monitor nurse attendance and submit reports by September 22, 2026.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the court's decision and the arguments from both the county government and the nursing union in a balanced manner, without overtly favoring either side. It includes quotes from both the judge and representatives of the county government, as well as the union’s grievances, but it

Daily NationIndependentCenter11 hr. ago

A Kenyan court has ordered the immediate resumption of work by nurses who were on a nationwide strike. The ruling effectively halted the ongoing strike action, which had been disrupting healthcare services across the country. The decision comes amid concerns over the impact of the strike on patient care and emergency services. The court's order requires nurses to return to their posts without delay, marking a significant development in the labor dispute. The outcome could influence future negotiations between healthcare workers and management.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the court's decision as a neutral fact without overtly favoring either side of the labor dispute. It reports the ruling without commentary on the broader implications for labor rights or healthcare policy, maintaining a balanced tone.