Health workers' unions issue 21-day ultimatum over UHC staff absorption

A coalition of health workers’ unions has issued a 21-day ultimatum to county governments, demanding the immediate absorption of all Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers.

The unions warned that failure to absorb the workers into permanent and pensionable terms by the end of September will result in widespread unrest in the health sector.

In a joint statement issued following a strategic meeting on September 8, the unions warned that unless their demands are met, they will escalate industrial action across the country.

“Healthcare workers cannot and will not tolerate continued systemic injustice, impunity, and blatant constitutional violations by the Council of Governors and individual governors,” the statement read.

“Unless immediate corrective action is taken, the Caucus warns that unrest in the health sector will escalate.”

The unions said the seamless transition of UHC contract staff to permanent county government employment is long overdue, terming it an urgent national priority.

Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya Environment Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHU), Kenya National Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians (KUNAD), Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT) and Kenya Health Professional Society (KHPS) signed the joint statement.

The unions condemned what they described as exploitative and punitive contracts issued by counties and demanded that such contracts be regularised to align with statutory and constitutional standards.

They further insisted that union dues deductions must resume immediately and called for the finalisation of Recognition Agreements and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) — particularly in Kiambu, Kirinyaga, and Tharaka Nithi counties.

They also rejected attempts to decentralise CBA negotiations, asserting that such agreements must be negotiated centrally as national labour standards.

“Relevant agencies must ensure counties pay salaries on time and remit all lawful deductions without delay,” the unions added.

Additionally, the union leaders called on the National Assembly and Senate to investigate the mistreatment of healthcare workers by some county governments and urged Parliament to deliver lasting legislative remedies.

The ultimatum follows a recent Council of Governors (CoG) declaration concerning UHC worker absorption and the implementation status of Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs) — a move the unions say falls short of delivering actual results.