The Health Union Caucus has given the government and county administrations seven days to address what they describe as long-standing injustices against healthcare workers, warning of nationwide industrial action if their demands are ignored.
In a joint statement released on September 30, 2025, the caucus, representing the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), and five other health unions, demanded the immediate absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Global Fund, and CHERP staff into permanent and pensionable terms with full back pay by the respective county governments.
“Whereas the Ministry of Health has harmonized the salaries of UHC workers as per SRC terms, county governments have failed to issue them with permanent and pensionable letters despite funds being provided,” the statement read in part.
The unions accused the Council of Governors of undermining the Public Service Commission by blocking career guidelines for health workers on financial grounds.
"The Council of Governors continues to issue directives to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to withdraw career guidelines for health workers, citing financial implications, thereby undermining the PSC's mandate and hindering career progression," they stated.
They further decried the stalled implementation of SRC-reviewed remuneration structures and non-payment of arrears.
The unions singled out Kiambu County for mistreating healthcare worker,s citing delayed salaries, lack of promotions, inadequate medical cover, and the unilateral stoppage of union deductions.
They also accused the county of victimizing vocal union members through arbitrary transfers and a refusal to sign a non-victimization clause.
“The county government has adopted a ‘labour lockout’ approach, refusing to engage with unions despite valid grievances, setting a dangerous precedent for other counties,” the caucus warned.
The unions’ demands include payment of withheld salaries, reinstatement of union deductions, regularization of contracts, and centralized negotiation of CBAs.
They called on the National Assembly and the Senate to investigate Kiambu County’s mistreatment of health workers.
Failure to address the issues within seven days, the caucus warned, would lead to a coordinated industrial strike across the country’s health sector.