Healthcare workers under the Health Sector Caucus have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government, threatening a nationwide strike if their longstanding demands are not met. This development follows a 95-day ongoing strike by Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff, who accuse the government of neglecting employment and welfare concerns.
In a joint statement released Wednesday, leaders from various health unions including the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists, and Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians outlined a list of “irreducible minimums” that must be addressed to avert a strike.
Key among the demands are the harmonisation of salaries in line with Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines, absorption of UHC staff into permanent and pensionable terms, and the payment of service gratuity for the time served under contract. The unions also demand payment of arrears for Global Fund staff and the establishment of a framework to absorb them by July 1, 2025.
The Health Sector Caucus further condemned police brutality during a peaceful demonstration on May 20, where several health workers were reportedly assaulted. They called for a public apology from the Inspector General of Police within seven days and urged the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate and prosecute the officers involved.
“This brutality is unacceptable, unconstitutional, and a direct affront to democracy and human dignity,” the statement read. “Health workers are not enemies of the state but facilitators of economic and social advancement.”
The caucus directed all affiliated unions to convene their National Executive and Advisory Councils to prepare for industrial action if the demands are not met.
“We are prepared to take decisive action. The health and dignity of workers and by extension, the nation cannot be compromised any longer,” the statement concluded.
The looming strike poses a significant threat to healthcare service delivery across Kenya, especially as the sector continues to recover from recent industrial actions and systemic challenges.
