Hard truths. Bold Insights. Real talk.
The Council of Governors has now threatened to seek legal intervention, arguing that the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) called the strike even as talks were ongoing. The governors also warned that they would pursue legal guidance on whether the industrial action is lawful.
The union said the industrial action would continue until the Council of Governors (CoG) and other relevant authorities address their outstanding grievances, warning that nurses and midwives had reached the limit of their patience.
Speaking on Radio Generation, Wachira said the government has already allocated Sh8.9 billion for the absorption of UHC staff, alongside Sh116 million under the Global Fund, but the process remains stalled.
The Council of Governors (CoG) has accused the Ministry of Health of shifting responsibility to counties without first resolving the question of how the workers will be financed in the years ahead.
CPF Group is proposing that the National Treasury issue the bond on behalf of all the 47 county governments. Under the arrangement, pension schemes would receive the outstanding money immediately, while counties would repay the debt over an agreed period.
The announcement comes amid growing pressure from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which had warned of possible industrial action over the delayed implementation of the 2024 CBA.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the union said the industrial action follows years of unsuccessful negotiations over key employment issues affecting nurses and midwives across the country's 47 counties.
The demonstration came as the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU) issued a 14-day strike notice to the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors, warning that health workers across the country would down their tools unless UHC staff were confirmed on permanent and pensionable terms.
The move follows the government’s decision to absorb UHC workers into the public service after guidance from the Public Service Commission and other relevant agencies, with the new terms taking effect from July 1, 2026.
The lack of a unified financing framework has led to concerns about duplication of support, inefficiencies and accountability gaps.
Speaking on Thursday, during signing of the Agreement on Establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks ceremony at the State House, he said all 34 counties have committed to co-funding and urged focus on operationalising facilities to support small-scale industries and local manufacturing growth.
Under the proposed framework, each county would be required to prepare formal management plans for every national reserve within its area. These plans would guide conservation efforts, tourism activities and other controlled land uses in protected zones.