Clinical Officers stage protest over employment terms

For the first time, the government has signaled its intention to place Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff on permanent and pensionable terms.

This announcement comes amid protests by a section of healthcare workers who staged a demonstration outside Afya House, the headquarters of the Ministry of Health.

Tuesday's protest, organized by the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), saw the workers camp at the ministry’s main entrance for several hours, pressing the government to urgently resolve the pressing concerns facing UHC personnel.

KUCO national chairman Peterson Wachira has come out strongly against the proposed transfer of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to county governments, saying the union firmly rejects the move and considers the terms punitive.

"We are here today to reject that agreement and make it clear that we cannot accept such harsh conditions," said Wachira.

He questioned the rationale behind shifting the payroll responsibility of UHC workers to all 47 counties beginning July 1, 2025.

"Why is there a push to devolve the UHC payroll to counties?" he asked.

On his part, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale clarified that UHC staff will not be transitioned to permanent and pensionable terms immediately.

He said the process requires at least another year to verify UHC staff data and allow existing contracts to lapse.

The Cabinet Secretary has announced that the transition of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to permanent and pensionable employment will be factored into the 2026/27 financial year budget once their current contracts conclude.

This development comes after a series of discussions that began on April 14, 2025, between the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors, aimed at reviving long-stalled talks.

The delay had previously sparked street demonstrations by aggrieved UHC staff.

In a follow-up meeting held last week, the Ministry engaged healthcare worker unions and UHC staff representatives, with the Council of Governors also present.

One of the key resolutions was that all UHC personnel would be officially transferred to county governments starting July 1, 2025.

"The Ministry is now calling on the Council of Governors to fast-track the submission of verified UHC staff records to enable the preparation of the May 2025 payroll," stated CS Duale.

He further noted that gratuity payments for UHC staff will be handled after their contracts end, in accordance with the guidance from the Public Service Commission.

The CS confirmed that UHC contracts—signed between the employees and respective counties—will remain valid through May 2026.

He added that from July 1, 2025, the responsibility for managing UHC payrolls and related budgets will shift to county governments.

This announcement is expected to ease tensions between healthcare unions and the government, signaling a potential end to the unrest caused by delays in regularizing UHC staff employment.

The Ministry expressed appreciation to healthcare unions for their vital contribution in championing the rights and welfare of health workers, promoting professional excellence, and improving the quality of services across the sector.

"Our focus remains on strengthening national referral hospitals, shaping health policy, setting standards, building capacity, and offering technical support to county governments," he stated.