UHC workers during the protests at GreenPark, Nairobi on January 27, 2026./TIMON OTIENO
UHC workers during the protests at GreenPark, Nairobi on January 27, 2026./TIMON OTIENO

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers from across the country have convened at Green Park in Nairobi for a nationwide demonstration to press for better working conditions and the timely payment of salaries.

UHC workers during the protests at GreenPark, Nairobi, on January 27, 2026./TIMON OTIENO
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Deputy Chair UHC workers, Onchieku Mosiori, addresses the media outside the Ministry of Health Office in Upper Hill, Nairobi./TIMON OTIENO


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The health workers, drawn from various counties, began assembling early in the morning, chanting slogans and holding placards highlighting their grievances.

According to the protest plan, the demonstrators will march from Green Park to Afya House, the headquarters of the Ministry of Health, before proceeding to the Council of Governors’ offices in Westlands to present their demands.

One of the protest leaders, Onchieku Mosiori, said that the demonstration was meant to push the Ministry of Health and the government to issue an official memo confirming that the absorption of UHC workers into permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms has formally begun.

“We have been following this process for some time, but the delays are many. We only hear statements, but there is no official communication. We want a memo to confirm that the process has started and timelines on when it will be effective,” Mosiori said.

Alias Mutai, one of the health workers, revealed that with their current contracts set to expire in April, the workers fear interruption of services and loss of jobs unless the government guarantees continuity.

"We are here to remind the Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, together with PS Ouma Oluga, that we will neither tire nor give up protesting. We will be back next Tuesday, and the other Tuesdays that precede until we are given our right and our right is to be given a permanent contract," said Mutai.

UHC workers during the protests at GreenPark, Nairobi, on January 27, 2026./VICTOR KIPLIMO
The protesters also demanded PNP appointment letters, saying President William Ruto had earlier directed that funds for their absorption were available.

“We don’t want stories. We want action. We want to see memos and letters confirming the President’s directive,” Mosiori stated.

In addition, the health workers raised concerns over unremitted National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions, particularly for the period between 2020 and 2022, when some had not been enrolled.

UHC workers during the protests at GreenPark, Nairobi, on January 27, 2026./VICTOR KIPLIMO
They further demanded payment of gratuity for the six years they have served on contract, noting that the law entitles contract workers to 31 per cent of their gross salary upon completion of each contract period.

Mosiori accused the government of renewing contracts without paying the required gratuity, calling it an injustice and a violation of their rights.

The protesters vowed to continue pushing for official communication, full remittance of NSSF contributions and payment of all outstanding gratuity before any transition to county governments takes place.