The strike by Universal Health Coverage (UHC) medics in Kenya escalated this week as hundreds marched to Parliament, demanding permanent employment and unpaid gratuities.
Now in its second week, the strike threatens to disrupt hospital operations across the country. Eight health sector unions have warned of a national strike if the government does not address their grievances within two weeks.
The medics, initially deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, have long raised concerns over precarious employment conditions, receiving stipends without job security or benefits.
‘We risked our lives during the pandemic, yet we remain stranded without proper pay or contracts,’ said Jane Wambui, a nurse and UHC worker, during a recent vigil. The workers are calling for stable jobs, pension benefits, and the release of Sh3.8 billion to settle outstanding salaries and gratuities.
Tensions heightened on 20 May when police used tear gas to disperse protesting UHC workers in Nairobi, an action condemned by healthcare unions as excessive force that also affected journalists covering the event.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers demanded a public apology from the Inspector General of Police, stating, ‘Our members were peacefully demonstrating for their rights, only to be met with violence.’
The medics’ concerns extend to the rights of Global Fund health workers, highlighting broader issues of neglect. Social media posts from @uhckenya254 and @UHCmedicsKe have amplified their plight, appealing directly to President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki for urgent intervention.
The workers argue that government spending priorities indicate that the required Sh3.8 billion is available, contradicting Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s claims of budget constraints.
The strike has already caused significant disruptions in public hospitals, with patients facing delays and reduced services. On 21 May, representatives of eight unions warned that failure to meet UHC workers’ demands could lead to a complete halt of hospital operations nationwide. ‘The government must act swiftly to prevent a healthcare crisis,’ said Dr John Mwangi, a union spokesperson.
The Ministry of Health has yet to respond to the latest protests, but earlier statements cited financial limitations as barriers to resolving the dispute. As the 14-day ultimatum nears its end, Kenya watches closely to see if negotiations can avert a deeper crisis in the country’s healthcare system.
– By Jeremiah Richu
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