Nurses Push for Greater Recognition, Staffing Reforms as Kenya Marks International Nurses Week.

Nurses Push for Greater Recognition, Staffing Reforms as Kenya Marks International Nurses Week.

Dr. Judith Awinja Aluora addresses journalists and healthcare stakeholders during a media roundtable ahead of the launch of the Nurse of the Year Awards (NOYA) in Nairobi on May 6, 2026, where she underscored the critical role of nurses in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system.

By Jeff Oyugi 

Nairobi - May 6, 2026

Kenyan nurses and midwives have called for greater investment in the profession, improved staffing levels, stronger mentorship, and enhanced recognition of outstanding healthcare workers as the country marked International Nurses Week celebrations.

Speaking during a nurses’ forum held ahead of the national celebrations, healthcare leaders described nurses as the backbone of Kenya’s healthcare system and unveiled plans for the revival of the Nurse of the Year Award (NOYA), an initiative aimed at recognising excellence and innovation within the profession.

Director of Nursing Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Judith Awinja Aluora, said the celebrations were an opportunity for nurses to showcase their contribution to healthcare delivery and strengthen unity within the profession.

“We need to celebrate our week, showcase who we are, and let the public understand what we do and who we are,” she said.

Dr. Aluora noted that nurses account for nearly 70 per cent of the healthcare workforce, making them central to the functioning of the country’s health system.

“Without nurses, the healthcare system will break down. Nurses should be proud of themselves because they are managing the system every day,” she said.

She announced that this year’s celebrations would culminate in a major event at Carnival Grounds, where senior government officials and healthcare stakeholders are expected to attend. One of the highlights of the event will be the launch of the revived Nurse of the Year Award, which has not been held for more than a decade.

Dr. Aluora, herself a former recipient of the award, said the initiative had previously transformed the careers of many nurses by motivating them to strive for excellence.

The awards will be conducted through a fully digital process to enhance transparency and accountability. According to organisers, applications and reviews will be done online, with judges assessing submissions anonymously to ensure integrity in the selection process.

Organisers said the award programme will begin at county level to ensure inclusivity and give nurses from all parts of the country an equal opportunity to participate.

Nurses working in remote counties such as Turkana, West Pokot, Lamu and Migori will be able to submit applications through an online portal without requiring physical approvals or referrals.

The initiative will recognise nurses under six thematic areas including nursing leadership, clinical excellence, primary healthcare, nursing education, research and innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The categories are intended to celebrate nurses driving systemic change, improving patient care, advancing research, strengthening healthcare education, and developing innovative healthcare solutions.

Chairman of the Kenya Progressive Nurses Association, Michael Nyongesa, said the nursing profession in Kenya has undergone significant transformation over the decades, evolving from certificate-based training to specialised degree and postgraduate programmes.

He noted that the increased level of training and specialisation has improved the quality of healthcare services and enabled nurses to take up advanced clinical and leadership roles.

“Today, nurses have attained higher competencies and specialised skills that allow them to offer more rational and evidence-based care,” he said.

Despite the progress, Nyongesa warned that the profession continues to face major challenges, particularly severe staffing shortages and low employment absorption rates.

According to him, Kenya currently has about 11 nurses for every 10,000 people, far below the recommended ratio of 25 nurses per 10,000 population.

He said the shortages are even worse in rural and remote areas, where nurses often shoulder overwhelming workloads while managing lower-level health facilities.

“About 75 to 80 per cent of Level Two and Level Three facilities are managed by nurses, yet staffing remains critically low,” he said.

Nyongesa also raised concerns over the increasing number of nurses employed on casual terms with low wages, saying some qualified nurses earn between Sh15,000 and Sh20,000 per month despite carrying enormous responsibilities in healthcare facilities.

He argued that the shortage of permanent staff has forced hospitals to rely heavily on underpaid casual workers to bridge staffing gaps.

“These nurses are straining physically and emotionally because they are carrying huge burdens within the healthcare system,” he added.

Vice President of the Midwives Association of Kenya and lecturer at Kenyatta University, Eunice Atsali, emphasised the importance of mentorship and leadership development within nursing and midwifery.

Atsali, who was recently elected to represent African midwives at the International Confederation of Midwives, said mentorship plays a critical role in shaping competent healthcare professionals.

“You cannot become a good nurse or midwife without an appropriate mentor who guides and strengthens you professionally,” she said.

Drawing from her own career journey, Atsali explained how mentorship helped her transition from general nursing into specialised midwifery studies, eventually enabling her to pursue advanced education abroad.

She said healthcare institutions should nurture young leaders and create supportive environments that empower nurses and midwives to rise into leadership positions both locally and globally.

“We need leaders who can advocate not only for themselves but also for the healthcare workforce and the communities they serve,” she said.

Atsali further noted that nurses and midwives are increasingly taking up leadership positions in politics, associations, communities, and international organisations, helping shape healthcare policy and address challenges such as maternal mortality.

Meanwhile, Head of Nursing at The Nairobi Hospital and Chairlady of the National Nurses Association of Kenya, Margaret Muiyuro, highlighted the growing role of technology and innovation in modern nursing practice.

Muiyuro said nurses have evolved from traditional caregiving roles into highly skilled professionals using digital systems, data analysis, and advanced medical technologies to improve patient outcomes.

She recalled how nurses played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic by educating communities on hygiene and disease prevention measures, helping contain infections across the country.

She also cited examples of nurses using innovation in emergency response, critical care, patient monitoring, and hospital information systems.

“Nurses are now using technology to monitor patients, administer precise medication dosages, document care digitally, and improve quality outcomes through data-driven decisions,” she said.

Muiyuro praised nurses for their dedication and resilience, recounting how one midwife used a motorcycle to transport a pregnant woman through flooded roads in Nairobi earlier this year after ambulances failed to access the area.

“That is how committed nurses are in ensuring patients access healthcare services even in emergencies,” she said.

Healthcare leaders at the forum expressed optimism that the revived awards programme and ongoing reforms within the profession would motivate nurses, strengthen healthcare delivery, and improve patient outcomes across the country.

They also called for greater institutional support, better working conditions, and increased recognition of nurses and midwives as key pillars of Kenya’s healthcare system.