By Brian Said Iha, July 21, 2026
Healthcare services across Kenya have been severely disrupted after doctors and other medical practitioners commenced a nationwide strike at midnight following the expiry of a 14-day strike notice, citing the government’s failure to absorb Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent and pensionable employment.
The industrial action, called by medical unions, has affected public hospitals and county referral facilities across the country, with thousands of patients left stranded as healthcare workers withdrew their services.
At the heart of the strike is the demand for the immediate confirmation of UHC-contracted health workers into permanent and pensionable terms, with unions arguing that the employees have served the country diligently for years under uncertain contractual arrangements.
The strike officially began after the 14-day ultimatum issued by the unions on July 6, 2026, expired without what they described as meaningful action from the government.
Union leaders accused the Ministry of Health and county governments of failing to honour previous agreements and return-to-work formulas that committed to improving the terms of service for UHC staff.
They maintained that despite several rounds of negotiations, thousands of healthcare workers remain on contract, denying them job security, pension benefits and other employment rights enjoyed by permanently employed public servants.
The strike has significantly affected operations in major public hospitals, where outpatient services, specialist clinics and inpatient care have been disrupted due to a shortage of medical personnel.
Medical unions have instructed members to suspend all services, including emergency and critical care, until the government addresses their grievances, a move that has raised concerns over access to essential healthcare services for patients across the country.
Hospitals in several counties reported reduced staffing levels, forcing some facilities to scale down operations while patients seeking treatment were either turned away or advised to seek care at private health institutions where possible.
The Ministry of Health has previously attributed the delay in absorbing UHC workers to budgetary constraints, saying the transition requires substantial financial resources that have not yet been fully allocated.
Government officials have maintained that efforts are ongoing to secure funding and engage relevant stakeholders to facilitate the absorption of eligible healthcare workers into permanent employment.
However, the unions insist that financial challenges should not be used as justification for delaying the implementation of agreements that have already been reached, arguing that the government has repeatedly failed to fulfil its commitments.
They further accused authorities of neglecting frontline healthcare workers who played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to provide essential medical services under challenging conditions.
The striking workers have vowed to remain off duty until concrete commitments are made regarding permanent employment, improved working conditions and the implementation of existing collective bargaining agreements.
The industrial action is expected to pile additional pressure on Kenya’s already stretched public healthcare system, with concerns growing over delayed treatment, overcrowding in private facilities and the potential impact on patients requiring urgent medical attention.
As the standoff continues, patients, healthcare stakeholders and county governments are urging both the Ministry of Health and medical unions to resume dialogue and reach an amicable solution that will restore normal healthcare services while addressing the concerns of affected workers.
