Health Sector Group Statement on Prolonged Health Crisis in Kenya Due to Staff Strike

The Health Sector Caucus bringing together Unions and Associations within health sector. We strongly condemn the brutality and violence directed at health workers under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program by police during the peaceful demonstrations in Nairobi on Tuesday, 20th 2025, as well as the prolonged neglect by the Ministry of Health and the 47 County Governments.

1.Prolonged UHC Strike

Universal Health Coverage health workers have been on strike for the last 95 days due to the government’s failure to prioritize and address longstanding issues, including:

• Harmonization of salary in line with SRC guidelines
• Absorption into the Permanent and Pensionable Establishment
• Payment of gratuity

2.Neglect of Global Fund Health Workers Rights

The Ministry of Health and County Governments have continued to exploit 97 Global Fund staff, who have worked for 11 months without pay — a gross violation of labour rights. It is worth noting that their contracts ended in June, 2024 and since then, they have continued offering services without salaries now for 11 months (i.e. from July, 2024) despite the fact that their contracts provided for their absorption at the end of Contract.

It is sad to note that their counterparts who were serving under the National Government were absorbed into the mainstream, their terms and conditions of employment converted into permanent and pensionable terms and are currently earning their salaries without interruption. This is utter discrimination and an abuse of their Labour rights as enshrined under Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya and the Employment Act Laws of Kenya.

3.Police brutality against peaceful Health Workers

We are appalled by the acts of police brutality witnessed during the peaceful demonstrations by UHC staff on Tuesday, 20th May. Several health workers were assaulted and injured while exercising their democratic right that was supposed to be protected by the police — a shameful and cowardly act against professionals who dedicate their lives to saving others.

This brutality is unacceptable, unconstitutional, and a direct affront to the values of democracy, justice, and human dignity. We remind the government that health workers are not enemies of the state but facilitators of economic and social advancement.

In view of the foregoing, the Unions demand THAT;

1. The Ministry of Health and Council of Governors to convene an urgent joint meeting with respective Unions and other concerned stakeholders within the next 14 days to agree on a framework on; a) Absorption of all UHC and Global Fund Staff from 1st July 2025. b) Payment of outstanding arrears for Global Fund staff c) Payment of Service Gratuity for the period served under contract.

2. The Inspector General of Police gives a public apology and takes action on the rogue officers who injured UHC staff within 7 days after which the Unions will take legal action against him.

3. Independent Police Oversight Authority investigates and prosecutes the said rogue police officers

The caucus has directed the respective Unions to convene their National Executive Councils and Advisory Councils with to sanction a joint nationwide strike if these demands are not conclusively addressed within the next 14 days.

Signed For and on behalf of the Health Sector Caucus

Peterson Wachira, HSC CHAIRPERSON Health Sector Caucus