Duale holds talks with UHC health workers’ unions to resolve ongoing strike
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, held talks with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) health workers’ unions at Afya House, Nairobi, to resolve the ongoing strike.
The Ministry of Health, in a statement issued via social media, noted that Duale had convened the meeting that was attended by officials from various unions to also address the growing concerns among union members.
“Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale this afternoon convened a consultative meeting with officials from various Universal Health Coverage (UHC) health workers’ unions at Afya House, Nairobi, to deliberate on the ongoing industrial action and address the growing concerns among union members as efforts continue to find an amicable way forward,” the statement read in part.
During the meeting, Duale pledged to fully implement agreements reached with unions representing the UHC staff.
He also agreed to continue using a collaborative dialogue towards achieving UHC in the country.
“The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers and reiterated his earlier pledge to fully implement agreements reached with unions representing UHC staff. Hon. Duale underscored the ministry’s recognition of healthcare unions as key partners in advocating for workers’ rights and enhancing service delivery. He further emphasised that collaborative dialogue remains central to the success of UHC in Kenya,” MoH stated.
The meeting was attended by Director of Medical Services Dr Patrick Amoth, Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Seth Panyako, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) George Gibore, Secretary General of the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU) Brown Ashira, KUCO chairperson Peterson Wachira and Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO) Pius Nyakundi.
Panyako’s strike threat
Panyako had earlier hinted at an imminent nationwide strike if the government fails to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent and pensionable terms.
Panyako in a statement issued on Tuesday, May 13, expressed frustration with the government, accusing it of sidelining the nursing profession despite nurses playing a critical role in the health sector.
Panyako further urged President William Ruto to take decisive action and reallocate funds from the State House budget to address the nurses’ grievances.
He claimed that only Ksh3.5 billion is needed to resolve the matter and ensure UHC staff are absorbed on permanent terms.
“If the President truly cares about this country, let him cut Ksh3.5 billion from the State House budget and use it to absorb the UHC staff. That’s all we are asking. Let these nurses be given permanent and pensionable terms like all other government workers,” he stated.
Duale’s response
In response to Panyako’s threat, Duale said the national government is focused on national referral health facilities, health policy formulation, standard-setting, capacity building, and technical assistance to county governments.
He further noted that county governments are responsible for County Health Services, which include the UHC staff as from July 1, 2025.
“As part of ongoing consultations, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Council of Governors, convened key engagements, including a meeting on 14th April 2025, co-chaired by the Chair of the Council of Governors, H.E. Governor Ahmed Abdullahi. Further to this, on 6th May 2025, a consultative meeting was held between the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, healthcare worker unions, and UHC representatives to deliberate on matters affecting UHC staff,” Duale stated.
