Sifuna to government: Absorb all UHC staff, implement 2017 back-to-work deal

Nairobi Senator says he will continue to champion the rights of nurses

by JANEMOLLY ACHIENG

News16 May 2025 - 17:59

In Summary

The Return to Work agreement included provisions for salary increases, improved working conditions, and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Speaking in Migori on Friday during celebrations to mark Nurses Week, Sifuna said he would continue pushing for the rights of nurses and healthcare workers.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called on the government to absorb Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers into permanent positions.

The Senator further urged the State to implement the 2017 Return to Work Agreement in full, including the Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recommendations issued in December 2024.

Speaking in Migori on Friday during celebrations to mark Nurses Week, Sifuna said he would continue pushing for the rights of nurses and healthcare workers.

“Knowing the critical role they play, I will continue to champion their causes,” he said.

His comments come in the wake of a peaceful protest by UHC workers held on May 13 in Nairobi.

The workers staged a sit-in outside Afya House, the Ministry of Health headquarters, demanding permanent employment, payment of outstanding gratuities, and harmonised salaries.

The health workers want the government to settle their five-year gratuity payments, remit statutory deductions such as NSSF, and give a formal response to their petitions before their payroll is moved to county governments on July 1, 2025.

They also called for an end to what they described as harassment and intimidation by some county chief officers.

“We have been patient for far too long,” said one protester.

“Our contracts are renewed late; some of us have worked for over five years but have no job security. We deserve better.”

The workers’ frustrations date back several months. In March, they marched to Parliament twice seeking Senate intervention.

In early April, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale promised to address their concerns within three weeks. Two months on, the workers say they are still waiting.

The workers are also urging the government to honour the 2017 Return to Work Agreement reached with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to end a crippling doctors' strike.

The agreement included provisions for salary reviews, improved working conditions, and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

It also called for the withdrawal of disciplinary action against striking doctors.