The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has reaffirmed the indispensable role of nurses in safeguarding national health and strengthening healthcare resilience, joining the global community in marking International Nurses Week with a series of events celebrating service, compassion, and professional excellence.
Observed under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” the commemoration highlighted nurses as the backbone of healthcare systems, whose dedication, resilience, and expertise continue to shape patient outcomes in both military and civilian medical institutions. Across the country, KDF-led activities reflected a broader institutional recognition that healthcare professionals—particularly nurses—remain critical to national wellbeing, emergency preparedness, and community resilience.
At Nairobi Regional Hospital, military healthcare professionals, civilian staff, and senior leadership gathered to honour nurses whose commitment to caregiving continues to define the frontline of healthcare delivery. The event served as both a celebration of professional service and a reaffirmation of the military’s expanding contribution to Kenya’s healthcare landscape.
Chief Nursing Officer Colonel Helen Kamotho paid tribute to nurses for their unwavering devotion to duty, noting that their work extends far beyond clinical responsibilities to touch lives in profound and lasting ways.
She described nurses as the silent strength of the healthcare system, whose compassion, courage, and professionalism continue to make an immeasurable difference in the lives of patients and families across the country.
The observance also spotlighted the strategic importance of investing in nursing leadership and professional development. Dr Caroline Nyariki of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology reflected on the enduring legacy of Florence Nightingale, emphasizing that empowered healthcare systems depend on continuous training, mentorship, adequate resources, and strong leadership pathways for nurses.
This commitment to professional growth was mirrored at Eldoret Regional Hospital, where a two-day development programme focused on enhancing nursing competencies while addressing one of healthcare’s most pressing concerns—mental wellbeing among frontline workers.
The sessions explored psychological wellness, workplace stress, burnout management, and healthy coping mechanisms, underscoring a growing recognition that resilient healthcare systems require emotionally supported caregivers.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Colonel (Dr) T. K. Muithya commended nurses for their resilience in navigating the pressures of healthcare service, encouraging open communication and practical wellness strategies in managing occupational stress. Chief Nursing Officer Colonel E. Nyansikera further challenged nursing personnel to embrace lifelong learning and leverage professional networks to sharpen their capabilities and improve service delivery.
Beyond hospital walls, the week’s observance extended into community outreach, demonstrating the humanitarian spirit that defines the nursing profession. Medical personnel from Defence Forces Memorial Hospital, led by Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Lieutenant Colonel Felister Mutisya, conducted a medical outreach and food donation initiative at Mashimoni Squatters Primary Secondary and Junior School before visiting Kibera Pride Children’s Home, where they donated food, clothing, and toys to vulnerable children.
These acts of compassion reinforced the idea that nursing is not confined to clinical spaces but remains deeply rooted in service to humanity, community wellbeing, and social care.
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