KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako speaking in Kisumu during a two-day union leadership forum where over 180 KNUN leaders from across the 47 counties and parastatals gathered for capacity-building training. /FIATH MATETE
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has declared full support for Health CS Aden Duale’s crackdown on illegal and substandard health facilities, particularly those forcing patients to share beds while billing each one separately.
KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako applauded the CS’s resolve to restore dignity in healthcare through enforcement of minimum standards in both public and private facilities.
“We stand solidly behind CS Duale. You cannot charge three people for the same bed. If you want more patients, buy more beds and employ more nurses. Our patients deserve quality, not exploitation,” he said.
Panyako added that such fraudulent billing practices had become rampant under the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and must not be allowed to continue under the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).
He was speaking at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu during a two-day union leadership forum where more than 180 KNUN leaders from across the 47 counties and parastatals gathered for capacity-building training in labour negotiations, alternative dispute resolution, and legal compliance.
The union’s endorsement comes on the heels of a strong declaration by CS Duale during the launch of the TaifaCare health program in Kisumu on July 16, where he vowed to end hospital overcrowding and poor patient accommodation.
“We will not allow any Kenyan to sleep on the floor. Not in public, private, or faith-based hospitals. That era is gone,” Duale stated.
He emphasized that all health facilities must comply with new regulations under the SHA system, which includes a bed capacity access rule.
“If you want more patients, go buy more beds. If you have beds but no space, build more wards,” Duale said.
The CS revealed that more than 1,000 illegal and substandard facilities had already been closed, with another 1,000 closures planned in coming weeks.
Panyako noted that healthcare cartels and unscrupulous clinic owners had taken advantage of loopholes to drain public resources.
He called for the urgent recruitment of more nurses to match patient needs and uphold care standards.
“There will never be quality healthcare without properly trained and adequately supported nurses,” he said.
“Our members are overstretched, demoralised, and exposed to danger.”
KNUN National Chair Joseph Kwasi emphasized that the Kisumu training was timely and vital, as it prepared county officials to engage constructively with more than 50 different employers across the devolved health sector.
“Our goal is to reduce industrial disputes and resolve matters internally, without costly court battles or repeated strikes,” he said.
Colin Ajuang, president of the National Nurses Association of Kenya, raised concern over the mushrooming of poorly regulated private nursing colleges.
He warned that the profession was at risk of being diluted by profit-driven institutions lacking proper standards.
“Every philanthropist now wants to start a nursing school. We must strengthen the Nursing Council of Kenya to stop this crisis,” he said, adding that unequal access to training and scholarships was widening inequality among health professionals.
He also demanded enhanced safety for nurses, who he said are increasingly targeted during demonstrations or community unrest.
“Our members are not safe, not at work, and not even at home. This cannot continue,” he said.
Deputy General Secretary Maurice Opetu and Deputy National Treasurer Faith Mulunda stressed the importance of succession planning and equipping future union leaders with skills to navigate complex negotiations.
“This forum is about protecting not only nurses but also the citizens we serve,” said Opetu.