Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers have notified the Nairobi Regional Police Commander of their plans to hold a peaceful demonstration on June 9, 2026, to push for a faster transition into permanent and pensionable employment and the payment of pending gratuities.
In a notice dated June 4, 2026, the workers said the procession will begin at Green Park Bus Terminus at 8:00 am before proceeding to Afya House, the Public Service Commission offices, the National Treasury, and the Council of Governors' offices in Nairobi, where they intend to present their petition.
"Pursuant to Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, this letter serves as a formal notification of our intention to conduct a picketing and peaceful demonstration scheduled for Tuesday, 9th of June 2026, commencing at 8:00 am," the notice reads in part.
"We are expected to be joined by about 1000 protesters on this day," it added.
The workers are demanding the urgent development and implementation of a framework to transition all healthcare workers currently serving under the UHC programme into permanent and pensionable terms, as agreed during the Intergovernmental Summit held on December 10, 2025.
"We call on the Ministry of Health, Public Service Commission, National Treasury and Council of Governors to urgently fast-track the development and implementation of a framework for the transition of all healthcare workers under the Universal Health Coverage Programme, as agreed during the Intergovernmental Summit held on 10th December 2025," the notice read.
They are also calling for the payment of gratuities in line with Gazette Notice No. 8091 of October 12, 2020.
"By this notice, we are therefore requesting you to provide enough security throughout the demonstrations," they stated.
The planned protest comes amid ongoing concerns among UHC staff over employment terms, salary disparities, and delays in their transition to permanent positions.
The development follows a recent government intervention in which Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the extension of UHC workers’ contracts until June 30, 2026, after approval by the Public Service Commission.
Duale said payroll systems were being updated to reflect the extension and assured workers that pending salary underpayments would be settled in the June payroll. He also acknowledged the delays that had caused uncertainty and apologised to affected staff.
UHC workers were recruited between 2019 and 2020 during the rollout of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage programme to strengthen access to essential healthcare services.
In recent months, the workers have staged or threatened industrial action over unresolved concerns regarding employment terms and their transition to permanent and pensionable service.
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