Health unions threaten nationwide strike on July 1 over job insecurity
UHC medical practitioners protesting along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi on June 10, 2025.
What you need to know:
- After six years of waiting, multiple strikes, and a presidential directive, health workers employed under UHC and the Global Fund say they have run out of patience.
Leaders of the Health Union Caucus have threatened to down tools by July 1 in solidarity with their colleagues over the delayed transition to permanent and pensionable terms despite a presidential directive on the matter.
The caucus, which comprises the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives, the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers, the Kenya National Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians, the Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists, and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, said its members feel shortchanged.
Speaking on behalf of healthcare workers under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) umbrella as well as former Global Fund workers, union leaders expressed concern that the current budget estimates do not provide a sense of security for their colleagues.
The budget estimates have allocated Sh8.9 billion as a conditional grant, but the unions worry that this funding model may not be sustainable, especially as the workers’ payroll transitions from the national government to county governments starting next month.
"These health workers are not conditional grants; they are supposed to be permanent and pensionable," said Seth Panyako, chairperson of the Kenya National Union of Nurses.
Peterson Wachira, chairperson of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, said they are calling for the immediate absorption of UHC and Global Fund workers as soon as their current contracts end later this month.
"When you allocate money under a conditional grant, it means that money is allocated for that financial year only and not as recurrent expenditure. We are very much prepared. We were on the streets before, and we are not tired. We will go back to the streets," he warned.
Already, anxiety is mounting over the transition following a statement made by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa during the Kakamega ASK show held last week.
"We shall not be able to absorb the UHC staff on permanent and pensionable terms as had been envisioned from July 1, 2026," Barasa said.
"Going forward, since the amount related to UHC staff has been placed in the County Additional Bill, which is an annual Bill, we can only absorb them on a one-year contract because the financing associated with that is annual. We will absorb them onto permanent and pensionable terms only if the associated amount has been factored as equitable share," he added.
Samuel Nyae, a registered clinical officer employed under UHC and the regional representative for Kwale County, told the Nation that the governor's statement dashed their hopes of being permanently absorbed after a six-year-long wait, numerous strikes, and a presidential directive.
"We say enough is enough," he said.
Samuel now urges Parliament to reconsider placing the funds under equitable share through the Division of Revenue Allocation so that workers can be assured of employment beyond the financial year 2026/2027.
He also noted that despite being eligible for a gratuity of about 31 per cent, they have yet to receive it.
Starting next month, this cohort of workers will have their payroll managed by the counties, shifting from the national government under the Ministry of Health.
"We fear that we will now be at the mercy of governors. Already, we have faced enough mental health-related issues, and we do not know what the future holds," he said.
"Our fate is precarious and depends on the transition of leadership, especially since next year is an election year. We want to appeal to the National Assembly to consider an equitable share," he added.
He further explained that once Parliament reviews the budget estimates and places the funds under an equitable share, the Ministry of Health should issue a gazette notice to notify the Council of Governors, thereby making the transition lawful.
The union leaders now urge the National Assembly, the Senate, the National Treasury, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, and the Council of Governors to urgently consider their demands and work collaboratively towards providing a lasting solution to the plight of UHC and Global Fund workers.
They also call on the President to intervene and secure the jobs of these health workers, following the recent launch of the ‘Every Newborn and Every Woman Survive and Thrive’ initiative, and, by extension, to ensure the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
The union leaders reiterated that they remain open to constructive dialogue and engagement with all relevant stakeholders to facilitate the successful absorption of UHC and Global Fund workers, and to strengthen the country's healthcare system for the benefit of all citizens.
