Nairobi Healthcare Workers Protest Unfair Treatment, Demand Permanent Jobs

Nairobi Healthcare Workers Protest for Fair Employment Terms On May 31st, 2025, 8,571 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff took to the streets of Nairobi, Kenya, to protest their employment conditions. These workers, vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, now face precarious contracts and significantly lower salaries compared to their colleagues in permanent positions. The protest highlights the ongoing struggle for job security and fair compensation within the Kenyan healthcare system. "We are so tired. We feel embarrassed with our government," stated one UHC worker during an interview, reflecting the widespread frustration among the protesters. Their primary demands include conversion to permanent and pensionable employment terms, and payment of a five-year gratuity promised by the government. Adding to the complexity, county governments are also refusing to accept responsibility for their payroll, leaving the UHC staff caught in the middle. However, Samuel Atandi, the chair of the National Assembly Budget Committee, has publicly announced that the committee is engaging in serious consultations with relevant stakeholders to address these concerns. This includes the conversion of employment terms to permanent and pensionable status. The protest underscores the importance of fair treatment and job security for essential workers and the ongoing challenges in the Kenyan healthcare system. The government's response, while promising, needs to translate into tangible improvements for the affected healthcare workers.