Healthcare workers in Kenya, encompassing doctors, nurses, and specifically those under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme, are on the verge of initiating nationwide strikes if their longstanding grievances are not addressed. Two separate but related strike warnings have been issued: one from a caucus representing various health workers threatening action within two weeks, and another from the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) setting a strike date for July 7, 2025.

A primary demand from the health workers, particularly the more than 8,000 UHC staff, is their absorption into permanent and pensionable employment terms, effective from July 1, 2025. They are also calling for the government to allocate KSh 3.8 to KSh 3.9 billion for the full payment of salaries for UHC nurses, clinical officers, lab officers, and other cadres. The workers highlight that their current contracts are unfair, especially when compared to their counterparts in permanent positions, and UHC interns have reportedly faced delays in the payment of gratuities. Outstanding arrears for Global Fund staff and service gratuity for the contract period are also among their demands.

According to Peterson Wachira, chairperson of the Health Sector Caucus, these UHC staff were initially recruited on one-year internship contracts to support UHC goals and combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, around 9,000 individuals were employed on three-year UHC contracts and deployed to county governments. Despite their service, these workers have reported discriminatory terms, leading to dissatisfaction. Representatives noted that UHC health workers have already been on strike for 95 days over the government's failure to address these issues.

In a recent development, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the transfer of the payroll for all UHC staff to county governments, effective July 1, 2025. However, this move has been protested by healthcare workers, who cite ongoing delays in their contracts, unequal pay, and a lack of job security.

Separately, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), led by Secretary General Seth Panyako, issued a one-month strike notice, warning that nurses will down their tools from July 7, 2025, if their grievances, some dating back to 2017, are not resolved. KNUNM's demands include the transition of UHC nurses to permanent and pensionable terms. The union also accuses county governments of failing to implement the 2024 revised salary structure as per Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines. Furthermore, the national government is accused of not implementing the return-to-work formula agreed upon in November 2017, and county governments are blamed for stalled negotiations and conclusion of new Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

Other grievances raised by KNUNM include alleged illegal deduction of agency fees by Kenyatta National Hospital, the Ministry of Health’s failure to transfer budgets and grants to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, and an acute shortage of nurses in public health facilities. The union has called for the preauthorisation of nurse anaesthetists to help address this shortage. Notices have been sent to relevant government bodies and branch officials to mobilise members for the potential strike, though the union has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue to avert a crisis.

The looming strikes threaten to paralyse operations across major public hospitals in Kenya, as these workers are integral to daily hospital functions. Efforts by the workers to engage the government in recent months to resolve outstanding issues have reportedly been unsuccessful.