KUCO Chairperson Peterson Wachira, KEHPHPU Secretary General Brown Ashira, and KUCO Secretary General George Gibore announce a nationwide health workers' strike over the delayed absorption of UHC workers./Screengrab
Public health services across Kenya have been disrupted after thousands of healthcare workers downed their tools, accusing county governments of failing to employ 7,450 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers on permanent and pensionable terms despite funding and directives from the national government.
The nationwide strike, which began at midnight, has affected public health facilities in all 47 counties, with six medical unions also planning demonstrations outside Parliament and the Council of Governors (CoG) offices to pile pressure on county administrations.
Speaking during a press briefing, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Chairperson Peterson Wachira blamed county governments for the industrial action, saying their inaction had left health workers with no option but to strike.
"It is very unfortunate to come here and say because of neglect and inaction by our county governments, and by extension the county governors, who are the CEOs of those counties, health workers have started their strike today from midnight," Wachira said.
The unions argue that Parliament allocated funds to facilitate the transition of UHC workers to permanent and pensionable terms and that the national government issued the necessary directives, but county governments have failed to issue appointment letters.
Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU) Secretary General Brown Ashira said the delay demonstrated the Council of Governors' failure to manage the country's health workforce.
"We urge the government to resolve the issue of the UHC. This is a clear indication that the governors, or rather the Council of Governors, have failed to manage the health workforce in this country. We now want health services reverted back to the national government," Ashira said.
Beyond permanent employment, the workers are demanding job security, timely benefits and comprehensive medical insurance.
As the strike takes effect, the unions have warned Kenyans seeking treatment at public hospitals to seek services elsewhere until the dispute is resolved.
"I am here to tell Kenyans that those who have patients in public facilities need to seek alternative services," said KUCO Secretary General George Gibore.
The unions insist the strike will continue until county governments implement the agreed reforms and issue permanent and pensionable employment letters to all eligible UHC workers.
