Eldoret court suspends nurses’ elections after union member petition

Justice Maureen Onyango halted both the election notice issued on November 20, 2026 and the planned polls which were scheduled for February 6, 2026, pending further orders by the court.

The petition was filed by Kibii Koech Simion, a member of the union, arguing that the elections are unconstitutional and unlawful, noting that the KNUN constitution of December 16th 2022, which was registered on August 28th 2024, was imposed without a lawful national referendum and in violation of internal union procedures and the Kenyan constitution of 2010.

Justice Onyango issued the suspension after considering an application dated January 29, 2026, via affidavits filed by the parties, a preliminary objection filed by the union and oral submissions from counsel representing the petitioner, the respondents and interested parties, including KNUN secretary general Seth Panyako, who appeared in person.  

The court directed the secretary general to issue a fresh election notice on strict compliance with the union’s constitution, ordering that the notice be widely circulated to members through personal addresses held by the union, branch secretaries and shop stewards.

Further, the court ruled that the eligibility of candidates must strictly comply with the union’s constitution and that of the Labour Relations Act of 2007.