UHC workers hold night vigil demanding permanent, pensionable employment

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers continued with their demonstrations, demanding permanent and pensionable terms before their payrolls are transferred to counties.

More than 8,000 healthcare workers from various cadres held a night vigil at Nairobi Green Park Terminus on Tuesday night, before staging protests along Nairobi's streets.

The workers, hired under the UHC program launched by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2020, accuse the government of reneging on its promise to offer permanent employment and salary harmonization as per SRC guidelines.

“They were actually not employed fpr Covid-19, it’s only that it was coincidental that when we were starting the journey towards Universal Health Coverage and when they got into service, then their first experience was with Covid-19,” said Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Peterson Wachira.

Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO) Chairman Nicholas Odipo, on his part, noted: “We want to call out Health CS Aden Duale…when we first met you, you showed us hope, but it is quite unfortunate that within two months, you have drastically changed and joined the bandwagon of those people who are oppressing healthcare workers in this country.”

Their protests come even as Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale maintains that their payroll transfer to county governments will take effect by July 1, 2025.

According to Duale, county governments will be provided with additional funds for full absorption of UHC staffs on permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms before the expiry of their contracts.

CoG Chairperson and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdulahi has called out CS Duale, saying he is keen on fast tracking the transfer of the UHC staff employed during the COVID era to counties yet there are no accompanying funds to take care of their salaries and gratuity.

CoG Health Committee chairperson Muthomi Njuki asked the Ministry of Health to deal, exhaustively, with the UHC staff and allow a seamless takeover.