Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is urging non-emergency patients to seek care elsewhere due to increased patient volumes caused by the ongoing health workers' strike.

• The strike has led to significant congestion, long queues, and delays at KNH, impacting patient access to services.
• KNH, a national referral hospital, is receiving patients who would typically be treated at county facilities.
• President William Ruto has directed officials to resolve the salary deadlock within one week, while unions maintain the strike will continue until their demands are met.

Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has signed the Nairobi City County Health Services and Management Act, 2026, ushering in a new era of autonomy for public hospitals. The law, which came into effect on August 19, grants Level Five hospitals greater institutional and financial responsibility.

• Each Level Five county hospital will operate as an independent county entity managed by a Hospital Management Board and a competitively appointed Chief Executive Officer.
• The Act significantly strengthens patient rights, guaranteeing access to emergency treatment and outlining patient entitlements to the highest attainable standard of health.
• Healthcare workers are also granted protections, including the right to a safe working environment and the ability to refuse abusive patients except in emergencies.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has issued a warning that food prices could increase due to poor rainfall impacting the maize harvest and other crops. This is raising concerns about food supplies and inflation.

• The CBK survey indicates that 56.9% of respondents expect inflation to rise next month, up from 47.9% in June, largely due to supply-side risks.
• 94% of respondents cited weather conditions as the primary factor affecting food prices.
• While prices for some items like potatoes and traditional vegetables are expected to rise, forecasts suggest a decline for staple foods such as maize grain and maize flour.

Doctors in Isiolo have returned to work after an 80-day strike, bringing an end to a prolonged industrial action.

• The strike involved doctors in Isiolo.
• The doctors are represented by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
• The prolonged strike significantly disrupted healthcare services in the county.

Elders from Embu have urged Mbarire to resolve the ongoing strike by healthcare workers.

• The strike has significantly disrupted health services in the region.
• Key stakeholders include Embu elders and the unnamed Mbarire.
• The elders are advocating for a swift resolution to address the critical impact on public health.

The Samburu County government has renewed its partnership to sustain a school feeding program, aiming to improve nutrition and boost school attendance for young learners.

• The initiative is set to benefit 40,800 children in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across the county.
• Key players include the Samburu County government and its partners in the program.
• This renewed partnership underscores a commitment to ensuring children receive essential meals, fostering better educational outcomes.

Health union officials have identified inadequate and delayed funding as the primary cause of Kenya's healthcare crisis.

• The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) stated that insufficient resources are hindering the effectiveness of healthcare reforms.
• Peterson Wachira, KUCO National Chairman, and Davji Atellah, KMPDU Secretary-General and CEO, highlighted that all aspects of healthcare suffer from funding shortfalls, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
• Union leaders emphasized the need for a mechanism to ensure timely payments to health facilities, even when patients have insurance, to prevent treatment denial and maintain adequate medical supplies.