Health workers issue fresh nationwide strike notice to govt
By Arnold Ngure, May 21, 2025The Health Sector Caucus has issued a fresh strike notice to the government if the crisis occasioned by the striking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers is not addressed.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the caucus chairperson, Peterson Wachira, indicated that the failure of the government to heed their demands would result in a nationwide strike.
“The caucus has directed the respective unions to convene their National Executive Councils and Advisory Councils to sanction a joint nationwide strike if these demands are not conclusively addressed within the next 14 days,” Wachira observed in the statement.
UHC demands
Among the demands issued by the health workers are the urgent convening of a meeting to address issues raised by the striking UHC workers within 14 days, absorption of all UHC workers and payment of their outstanding arrears, and the payment of the UHC gratuities before their payroll is transferred to County governments.
The caucus equally condemned police brutality meted out on the striking UHC workers on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, stating that the Inspector-General of police, Douglas Kanja, must take action on the police officers involved.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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.”
Police brutality
The health workers also directed Kanja to issue a public apology to the striking UHC workers within seven days, or action would be taken against him.
“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,” the statement read in part.
The UHC workers’ strike, which started in February 2025, has been on for the last 95 days, with the unions indicating that their grievances have yet to be addressed.
Health CS Aden Duale maintains that the UHC workers should have their salaries paid by the County government, given that health is a devolved function.
The Council of Governors, however, states that the transfer of over 20,000 UHC workers from the national government to the counties will be rejected if sufficient funds are not allocated for their absorption and decent remuneration.