UHC Workers Extend Strike, Demand Permanent Employment
TIMOTHY KIPLIMO
Universal Health Care (UHC) workers from Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, and Baringo counties have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met.
Now in its ninth day, the strike is a response to what they describe as neglect by the government.
Led by Bernard Lagat, a nursing officer from Uasin Gishu, the health workers are calling for permanent employment after years of working on contracts.
“We were employed during the COVID-19 pandemic—we fought and defeated the virus—but now, we have been forgotten,” Lagat lamented.
The striking healthcare providers have pledged not to return to work until their grievances are addressed.
Damaris Jelimo and Naomi Jelimo who are nursing officers, urged President William Ruto to intervene, expressing their frustration.
“Why is the government doing this? We have been working under contract for six years. Just yesterday, new employees were hired while we were left behind. Mr. President, we voted for you—help us,”
The workers are demanding that both county and national governments coordinate efforts to ensure they are employed under permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms.
Concerns Over Unremitted NSSF Deductions
The striking health workers also raised concerns over National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions that, according to them, have not been remitted since 2021.
“Our NSSF deductions have not been remitted for the past three years. If the government is taking our money, where is it going?” one of the striking workers questioned.
Their concerns were echoed by Kiprop Tallam, a nursing officer from Elgeyo Marakwet County, who called for fair treatment.
“We are simply asking for fairness. We want equal pay for equal work—there should be no favoritism,” Tallam emphasized.
In 2023 Council of Governors, through Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, urged the national government to provide conditional grants to county governments.
Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare in July 2023, Sakaja emphasized the need for fair salaries for UHC staff and proposed transferring payroll management to county governments.
The then Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha acknowledged the concerns and stated that the government is exploring strategies to transition UHC staff to permanent and pensionable employment terms.
