A nurse in Murang’a County has ignited an online storm after sharing an August 2026 payslip on which every figure reads zero. The document lists total earnings of 0.00, total deductions of -0.00 and net pay of 0.00.
At the bottom of the payslip sits the county’s motto, “A values-driven citizen-centric public service,” a detail many netizens found deeply ironic. The nurse sent the image privately to the All Kenya Nurses Facebook page on Monday, September 28
“I am a frustrated nurse working in Muranga County,” she wrote, adding that she did not know where to channel her anger.
The page administrator posted the payslip and asked how a health worker is expected to explain such a situation to their children.
Within a day, the post had attracted 160 reactions and 63 comments, many from nurses in other counties. David Ngii, who identified himself as a nurse, said his county was also issuing zero payslips.
Another commenter, Poshez, said Homa Bay County nurses can access their payslips online, but salaries have not been paid.
A user identified as Dennis questioned whether nurses are truly valued in Kenya, noting that they are better appreciated abroad.
He called for a union that would push for nurses to be recognised as the backbone of healthcare, pointing out that the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) had acknowledged their role during the industrial action.
Joan, another commenter, argued that devolving health services to counties was a mistake and that the sector performed better under national government.
The reactions have revived debate on whether county governments can reliably pay medical staff on time.
The payslip emerged after a nurses’ strike over salary disputes between counties and health workers, which was reported as resolved on September 9.