Health workers have threatened to paralyse services in public hospitals across the country over delays by county governments in transitioning more than 7,600 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers to Permanent and Pensionable (PnP) terms.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Monday, July 6, 2026, the health workers’ union accused county governments of failing to honour the government’s commitment despite the National Assembly allocating funds for the transition.

The union noted that the contracts for UHC workers expired on June 30, 2026, yet thousands of employees are still waiting for appointment letters confirming their permanent employment.

Union issues nationwide strike notice

The union warned that the industrial action will not be limited to UHC workers but will involve all healthcare workers employed in public health facilities if counties fail to implement the transition immediately.

“This strike notice is not going to be for UHC workers alone. All our members working in public health facilities in this country will join the UHC workers on strike, and we will remain on strike until the transition has been fully implemented and the UHC staff have been issued with appointment letters by their respective County Public Service Boards,” an official from the union said.

The officials further accused the Council of Governors (CoG) of turning the employment process into a political issue instead of addressing the welfare of health workers.

“We are warning the Council of Governors against using the transition of UHC workers as a political bargaining tool. The money was allocated and the workers deserve their letters,” the union added.

Planned demonstrations

Besides issuing the strike notice, the union announced plans for sustained demonstrations beginning this week.

“We are going to serve this strike notice and activate all our teams in the counties. We will pitch camp at the Ministry of Health headquarters until our colleagues receive their permanent and pensionable appointment letters,” the officials stated.

They maintained that the protests would continue until every eligible UHC worker is formally absorbed into permanent employment.

Reforms praised despite fresh dispute

The latest standoff comes barely a week after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) welcomed reforms in the health sector following the successful deployment of 6,360 healthcare interns without delays.

KMPDU described the move as a major milestone, saying newly posted interns would begin earning their salaries immediately, unlike in previous years when doctors endured lengthy delays before deployment and payment. The union also praised government plans to recruit an additional 5,000 nurses and 2,000 doctors to strengthen healthcare services across the country.

However, the fresh dispute over UHC workers now threatens to overshadow those gains, with health workers insisting that reforms can only be meaningful if all promised employment commitments are honoured.