KEHPHPU BACKS RUTO'S DIRECTIVE ON UHC JOBS, CALLS IT KEY TO STRENGTHENING UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE

KEHPHPU leaders led by Chairperson Odipo Nicholas and Secretary General Hon. Brown Ashira address the media at Ngong Hills Hotel in Nairobi, where they welcomed President William Ruto’s directive to absorb UHC workers into permanent and pensionable terms.

By: Glad Tv Kenya reporter 

The Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU) has welcomed President William Ruto’s directive to absorb all Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent and pensionable terms, terming it a long-awaited victory for frontline health workers.

Speaking during a press briefing at Ngong Hills Hotel in Nairobi, KEHPHPU chairperson Odipo Nicholas said the move ends years of anxiety for thousands of UHC staff who have been engaged on short-term contracts despite their vital role in the health sector.

“For five years these workers have faithfully served Kenyans under very difficult circumstances. What they deserve is not just recognition, but job security and dignity. The President has given them that assurance,” Odipo stated.

He further cautioned the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors against stalling or politicizing the directive, insisting that implementation must be transparent and immediate.

“The Council of Governors must keep off labour matters. Health services may be devolved, but labour was never devolved. Any attempts to delay or frustrate this directive will be met with resistance,” he warned.

KEHPHPU outlined six demands to guide the transition, including: prompt issuance of permanent appointment letters, settlement of gratuities for those previously on contract, publication of a verified list of UHC workers, and fairness in handling cases of staff with disciplinary issues.

Walter Ochieng, chairperson of the Public Health Officers Association in Nairobi, underscored the need for equity across counties.
“UHC workers across Kenya must enjoy the same terms. A centralized framework will ensure uniformity and fairness,” he said.

The union also recalled Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s earlier commitment that absorption of verified UHC staff would commence in September 2025, urging that the change be reflected in this month’s salaries.

In a strongly worded statement, KEHPHPU Secretary General and CEO Hon. Brown Ashira threatened industrial action if the directive is not honored.
“We shall not hesitate to return to the streets. This is not negotiable. Workers must transition into permanent and pensionable terms immediately,” Ashira declared.

Ashira further stressed the government must prioritize frontline health workers in its broader healthcare reforms.
“Kenya cannot achieve Universal Health Coverage by neglecting the very people who carry it on their shoulders. If UHC is to succeed, then the workers who make it possible must feel secure, valued, and fairly compensated,” he said.

Beyond the labour issues, KEHPHPU emphasized the broader significance of the UHC programme, calling it the backbone of Kenya’s healthcare reform agenda.
“Securing the future of UHC workers means securing the future of the programme itself. This is about protecting every Kenyan’s right to accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare,” Ashira added.

The union concluded by reaffirming its full support for the Head of State, noting that the directive aligns with Kenya’s broader health reform agenda. KEHPHPU urged the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, and county governments to work in harmony to ensure that the absorption process is completed swiftly and without controversy, warning that any delays would undermine both workers’ welfare and the success of Universal Health Coverage.