Kenyan Nurses Push for Permanent and Pensionable Employment Amid Ongoing UHC Demonstrations
Nairobi, Kenya – Fellow Nurses Africa
Kenyan healthcare workers, including nurses under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program, continue their relentless push for improved employment conditions, demanding conversion into permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms. The latest wave of demonstrations in Nairobi has seen nurses and other healthcare professionals marching to the Ministry of Health and Parliament, calling for employment harmonization to align with their counterparts in the sector.
Ongoing Demonstrations and Government Response
The General Secretary of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Hon. Seth Kuka Panyako, has been at the forefront of these protests, advocating for UHC nurses’ right to fair employment terms. Demonstrators have made their demands clear: immediate conversion of their contracts to PnP status and the payment of gratuity.
In a major development, the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, has acknowledged the grievances of UHC staff. During a crucial meeting with trade union officials at the Ministry of Health, Hon. Duale assured healthcare workers that he would engage key stakeholders—including Parliament, the Treasury, the Council of Governors, the Public Service Commission, and the President—to address their concerns. He has requested a three-week period to hold these discussions and formulate a concrete plan to resolve the employment issues.
Hon. Panyako has expressed optimism about Hon. Duale’s leadership, stating that his neutrality ensures fair treatment for all healthcare cadres, in contrast to past administrations accused of favoritism.
Parliament’s Response
As part of their continued demonstrations, the nurses marched to Parliament, where they were received by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Hon. Dr. Nyikal Wamburu James. Dr. Nyikal assured the nurses that their petition would be considered and committed to advocating for policy changes to secure their employment rights.
A Longstanding Struggle
This is not the first time UHC nurses have taken to the streets demanding fair employment terms. In previous demonstrations, Hon. Panyako led similar calls for formal employment, highlighting challenges posed by bureaucratic roadblocks and entrenched cartels within the Ministry of Health. During those protests, Hon. Duale pledged to dismantle corruption and barriers preventing fair employment practices. His renewed commitment in the latest demonstrations signals a potential turning point toward meaningful reforms.
Despite these assurances, nurses remain cautious and have vowed to maintain pressure until their demands are fully met. With Hon. Duale’s three-week timeline now in place, healthcare workers across Kenya are watching closely to see if the government will take concrete action to improve their job security and welfare.
Fellow Nurses Africa will continue to monitor and provide updates as the situation unfolds.
