Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has called on the government to swiftly confirm all 8,571 striking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff, saying the required budget is modest.
In a statement on Friday, May 24, 2025, Nyoro, who sits on the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, urged its chairperson, Samuel Atandi, to prioritise the health workers’ concerns.
“UHC healthcare workers have been offering selfless service to our country. The amount needed to confirm all 8,571 patriots and enhance their salaries must be a priority,” Nyoro said.
“Please do what is necessary to fund the confirmation of UHC staff. The Sh3.8 billion required is minimal in the context of the entire budget. This money goes directly into service delivery and benefits youthful Kenyans. Consider confirming all 8,571 of them on permanent, pensionable terms, with salaries commensurate with their education and service.”
His appeal comes days after Health CS Aden Duale stated that the government lacks funds to employ UHC workers until the next financial year.
Duale maintains that UHC workers’ salaries should be paid by county governments, since health is a devolved function, and announced that their payroll will transfer to counties by July 1.
“If you are a nurse with a contract under the county government, you will be paid by that county. Starting July 1, I will transfer the entire payroll, because if you are working for the governor, he or she is the one who knows if you are delivering services,” Duale said on May 18, 2025.
However, the Council of Governors has warned it will reject the transfer of over 20,000 UHC workers to counties if adequate funding is not provided.
UHC staff have been staging peaceful demonstrations in Nairobi, demanding permanent employment, payment of unpaid gratuities, and salary equalisation.
They argue that their pandemic-era contributions under the UHC programme—and the fact that they perform the same duties as permanent staff—warrant permanent status, better pay, and allowances.
The strike, now approaching 100 days since it began in February, gained momentum after several health unions issued a joint notice threatening a nationwide strike unless their grievances are addressed.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, health sector caucus chairperson Peterson Wachira warned:
“The caucus has directed the unions to convene their national and advisory councils to sanction a joint nationwide strike if these demands are not conclusively addressed within 14 days.”
Their demands include convening a meeting within 14 days to resolve outstanding issues, absorbing all UHC workers and paying their arrears, and disbursing UHC gratuities before transferring their payroll to county governments.
