Kenya health union condemns police force on UHC protest in Nairobi

The Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers on Tuesday condemned what it described as excessive force used by police during a major protest in Nairobi over universal healthcare rights.

Thousands of Universal Health Coverage staff staged the demonstrations on Tuesday, May 20, a day after county governments rejected a proposal to pay them starting July 1. Protesters are demanding permanent employment, payment of gratuities, salary equalisation and budget allocation in the 2025/26 financial year.

The protest came as top Ministry of Health officials, including Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, left the country to attend the World Health Assembly in Geneva, which runs from May 19 to 27. Duale is leading a delegation of 59 government officials to the assembly, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) decision-making body. Also in attendance are embassy officials in Geneva and Duale’s principal secretaries Ouma Oluga and Mary Muthoni.

“Several protesters sustained soft tissue injuries after being hit by rubber bullets,” said Secretary General Pius Moriasi. “One person was struck directly by a teargas canister, posing a serious threat to life.”

Moriasi said health workers will continue demonstrating until their demands are met.

“We shall not be intimidated. We shall not be silenced. Our resolve is unshaken,” said Moriasi.

The union accused police of violating national and international standards on freedom of assembly and the right to protest.

“To those who believe that firing teargas and rubber bullets will dampen the spirit of healthcare workers, get out of that dream,” said Moriasi.

According to the Health Sector Caucus, an estimated 8,000 staff were expected to participate in Tuesday’s protests. The group issued a notice to Nairobi police in advance of the planned demonstrations.

The May 20 protests come amid a growing standoff between the national and county governments over the fate of 20,000 UHC workers currently employed under contract by the national government.

The Council of Governors on Monday, May 19, declared that counties would not absorb the UHC staff unless several conditions were met, including full funding and clarity on employment terms.

Council Chair Ahmed Abdullahi said counties would reject the payroll transfer unless the national government provides enough resources to cover salaries.

The national government has since announced that the payroll for UHC workers will be transferred to county governments from July 1. However, healthcare workers continue to protest, insisting on immediate absorption into permanent and pensionable terms and the payment of outstanding dues.