NATIONWIDE CRISIS LOOMS AS HEALTH UNIONS WARN OF STRIKE OVER PAY DISPUTES AND BROKEN PLEDGES

Officials from the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Secretariat address the press in Nairobi on health sector grievances and unfulfilled promises by county government.

By: Glad Tv Kenya reporter 

Kenya’s public health system is on the edge of a nationwide shutdown after the Health Union Caucus gave county governments a week to resolve long-standing grievances or face a coordinated strike across all 47 counties.

The caucus, which brings together seven unions, accused county governments of deliberately undermining workers through salary delays, refusal to absorb staff under national health programs into permanent terms, and failure to implement salary reviews approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

“Our members have endured unnecessary hardship. The SRC gave clear advisories, the Public Service Commission directed the absorption of UHC and Global Fund staff, and even the President confirmed the government’s commitment. Yet counties continue to ignore all this,” said Washira Peterson, National Chair of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers and leader of the caucus.

Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties were singled out as the worst offenders, with Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi facing sharp criticism over what unions described as a collapse of services. Doctors in Kiambu have been on strike for more than 126 days, forcing the Ministry of Health to transfer more than 700 health workers to neighboring counties. Ambulances remain parked, and patients have been left to seek treatment outside the county.

“Kiambu is a failed county. If the governor is the stumbling block, then he should step aside. Where counties cannot manage health, the national government must step in,” Peterson said.

The caucus accused county governments of defying the constitution by disregarding SRC and Public Service Commission directives. They further pointed out that Nairobi owes health workers two months in salary arrears, while staff in Marsabit and Kiambu have gone unpaid for up to four months.

“It is unfair to demand services from professionals who cannot even sustain themselves. Some are heavily taxed, yet their salaries are delayed for months,” said George Gibore, another union leader.

The unions also raised concerns about the mental toll of delayed pay, citing the case of Global Fund staffer Gladys Rimui, who took her own life in 2024 after months without wages.

To address the crisis, unions renewed their call for the creation of a Health Service Commission to manage health workers centrally while still respecting devolution. They argued that devolution of health had failed in many counties, with governors politicizing workers’ welfare.

“Counties have turned into activists, disregarding the law and undermining constitutional bodies. If this continues, we will push for a system that protects health workers and guarantees Kenyans quality healthcare,” Peterson said.

The caucus has demanded immediate implementation of SRC salary reviews, payment of arrears budgeted for in the 2025/2026 financial year, and issuance of permanent and pensionable contracts to staff under UHC, Global Fund and COVID-19 programs.

If the demands are not met, all health cadres  including doctors, nurses, clinical officers, laboratory technologists, nutritionists, and pharmaceutical technologists have vowed to down their tools.

“This is not just a strike about solidarity. It is about survival,” Peterson declared.

Meanwhile, more than 25,000 Kiambu residents have signed a petition urging President William Ruto and the Ministry of Health to intervene and restore services in the troubled county.

With the ultimatum set to expire soon, Kenyans brace for what could become the largest coordinated health workers’ strike since devolution, threatening to cripple essential services across the country.