UHC WORKERS ON STRIKE

UHC STAFF STAGE DEMONSTRATION OVER UNPAID GRATUITIES AND CONTRACT ISSUES

Universal health coverage workers have staged a protest outside Afya house in Nairobi, expressing deep frustration over unfulfilled promises by the government. The workers are demanding permanent employment, payment of unpaid gratuities, and an end to harassment and discrimination.

Hundreds of universal health coverage (UHC) workers gathered peacefully outside afya house today, to demand urgent government action on long-standing grievances. The workers, who were recruited during the covid-19 pandemic to support the health system, have been operating on contractual terms since 2020 with assurances that they would be absorbed into permanent and pensionable positions after a set period. However, they claim that these promises remain unfulfilled.

The protesters called for immediate payment of unpaid gratuities, salary equalisation with their permanent counterparts, and formal absorption into the permanent and pensionable (pnp) scheme. They also decried harassment and intimidation by some county officials, as well as discrimination that has left many of them earning only half the salary of permanent staff despite performing the same duties.

“The state has decided not pay our UHC staffs but its busy allocating billions to renovate state house. We saw the other day Treasury allocating KS 15 billion just to renovate presidents’ state house while doctors are crying out there. Why don’t they just take KS 5 billion from that allocation and pay UHC staff so that the remaining KS 10 billion is used to beautify the state house?” Panyako asked.

The uhc staff also oppose the planned transfer of their payroll to county governments without guarantees on job security and gratuity payments. They insist that any transition must comply with salaries and remuneration commission guidelines to ensure fair treatment.

“I have decided to seek permission so that I declare a nationwide nurses’ strike. We need to work in a favorable condition with better pay,” he said.

In response, health cabinet secretary aden duale highlighted the intention of transfering uhc staff to county government together with their payroll and associated budget effective by 1st july 2025. He also noted the transition of uhc staff to permanent and pensionable terms of employment to be incorporated in the 2026/27 financial year budget upon contract expiry.

Earlier on, the ministry had promised resolution within three weeks, but over a month has passed with no concrete progress reported. The workers have since been silently voicing their frustration over the government’s failure to honour commitments, which they say has caused significant financial and emotional strain.