Health workers under the Nairobi City County Government on Thursday, October 2, staged a picket calling for the immediate payment of salary arrears dating back to July 2025.
The protest, organised by the Health Unions Secretariat, began at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9:00 a.m.
Hundreds of workers marched through Muindi Mbingu Street, Kenyatta Avenue, and Wabera Street before arriving at City Hall, where they remained gathered, seeking that their concerns be addressed.
The picketing was marked by the sound of vuvuzelas, megaphones, and a live band. Union representatives and frontline staff led the procession, which brought together seven unions representing medical officers, dentists, clinical officers, nurses, laboratory professionals, and nutritionists.
Dr Malindi Chao, Secretary of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nairobi Branch, criticised the handling of return-to-work agreements, describing them as “ceremonial documents.”
She also highlighted the lack of functional insurance cover for health workers, saying it is concerning that staff are exposed to health risks without full access to medical services.
Senior Clinical Officer Steven Muthama said many workers are facing difficulties meeting basic living expenses.
Muthama urged the County Government to honour existing agreements.
Among the grievances raised are stalled career progression, with staff reporting delays in promotions.
Workers under the SHA scheme have experienced salary reductions and housing levy deductions, while some contract staff remain on three-year terms with no progress on Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.
Third-party deductions have also caused challenges, as some banks and SACCOs are pursuing workers for unpaid loans.
Workers say this has affected their financial stability, with some experiencing difficulty accessing medical cover or contributing to funeral expenses.
“We are pleading for survival,” one health worker said.
“We’re being thrown out of our houses, we can’t pay rent, we have no food, and we’re still expected to report to work.”
Another protester added, “We don’t need new agreements. We just need the government to honour the ones they signed.”
Union leaders emphasised that the picketing remains peaceful.
They said workers will not return to duty until their demands are addressed.
The protest continued, highlighting concerns over unpaid salaries, career progression, and insurance coverage for Nairobi’s frontline health workers.
