NAIROBI, Kenya – Public health students and university student leaders have issued the government a 48-hour ultimatum to resolve the ongoing public health workers’ strike, warning they will stage nationwide demonstrations from Wednesday, October 21, if the dispute remains unresolved.
The students and leaders of the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEPHUPU) issued the warning at Kenyatta University on Monday, October 19, as the industrial action entered its 90th day.
They said the prolonged strike could have serious consequences for public health services and weaken the country’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks, including concerns raised over the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
“We are issuing a 48-hour notice to the government: you either end the strike, or we mobilise nationwide for demonstrations this coming Wednesday,” one of the leaders said.
The group called on President William Ruto to intervene urgently and help end the industrial dispute, which has disrupted public health services across the country.
Students Demand Parliamentary Oversight
The leaders also urged Parliament to investigate the circumstances behind the strike and exercise its oversight role over funding for the public health sector.
They questioned why public health officers had been left behind in resource allocation despite their role in disease prevention, surveillance and outbreak response.
“We are calling for Mr President to intervene. For Parliament, do your work of oversight. We want you to oversee this allocation of the amount. Why was public health left behind?” another leader said.
The students warned that continued disruption of preventive health services could expose communities to greater health risks, particularly at a time when disease surveillance and rapid response remain critical.
Employment Terms, Allowances Fuel Strike
The strike centres on several longstanding grievances, including demands for permanent and pensionable employment for workers serving under short-term Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund contracts.
The union is also protesting what it describes as inadequate risk allowances, with public health officers reportedly receiving between Sh2,000 and Sh3,000 per month despite working in potentially hazardous conditions.
The officers argue that their allowances are lower than those provided to some other health professionals, including nurses and doctors.
Other grievances include alleged failure by national and county governments to implement signed collective bargaining agreements, provide comprehensive medical cover and adequately fund preventive healthcare.
The union maintains that these unresolved issues have prolonged the dispute and contributed to concerns over the working conditions of public health personnel.
Concerns Over Staffing And Disease Surveillance
Kenya has approximately 4,200 public health officers serving a population approaching 50 million, raising concerns about staffing levels, recruitment and the impact of impending retirements.
Public health officers play a central role in disease surveillance, environmental health inspections, sanitation monitoring and the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
The prolonged strike has therefore raised concerns about the capacity of affected services to maintain routine preventive health activities while responding to emerging public health threats.
Ruto Had Proposed Committees To Resolve Health Disputes
The ultimatum comes after President Ruto proposed establishing dedicated committees to negotiate health workers’ collective bargaining agreements and resolve labour disputes before they escalate into strikes.
Speaking during a Kenya Health Summit town hall on August 19, the President urged health unions to prioritise the welfare of Kenyans and pursue dialogue rather than allow industrial disputes to disrupt essential services.
He also directed government officials to resolve outstanding health workers’ salary arrears within a week and called for stronger coordination with county governments to address payment delays.
However, the public health workers’ strike has continued, with the union maintaining that employment terms, allowances, medical cover and funding concerns remain unresolved.
The student leaders’ 48-hour ultimatum now places fresh pressure on the government to reach an agreement with the workers before the threatened nationwide demonstrations begin on Wednesday, October 21.
