NAIROBI — Kenya’s nurses have agreed to return to work after a 43-day nationwide strike, following the signing of a return-to-work agreement with the government.

The agreement brings an end to a prolonged disruption in public healthcare services, with nurses expected to resume their duties within 24 hours of the deal.

The dispute centred on implementation of a collective bargaining agreement originally reached in 2017. According to the agreement announced this week, the government and the nurses’ union will have 45 days to finalise the implementation process.

The extended strike had placed additional pressure on hospitals and other public health facilities. Doctors were increasingly required to cover for absent nurses, raising concerns about workload and the ability of facilities to maintain normal services.

Kenyan doctors also warned that they could consider industrial action if their concerns were not addressed. The doctors’ union said increased workloads created by the nurses’ absence had added to existing pressures across the healthcare system.

The dispute had also become a political and public-health issue, with lawmakers discussing the impact of the strike on healthcare access. Reports indicated that some dispensaries had been affected and concerns had emerged over worsening health outcomes in certain areas.

For patients, the agreement is expected to provide some relief as nurses gradually return to hospitals and clinics. However, the implementation of the underlying employment agreement will remain important to prevent another prolonged dispute.

The government now faces the challenge of fulfilling the commitments made under the return-to-work deal within the agreed timeframe. Nurses, meanwhile, will be watching closely to ensure that the outstanding provisions are implemented.

The settlement represents an important step toward restoring stability in Kenya’s public healthcare system, but its long-term success will depend on whether both sides can complete the remaining negotiations and commitments.