Global Fund Health Workers March to Parliament and Senate Over 16 Months of Unpaid Salaries
Peterson Wachira Chairperson of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) addressing Global Fund health workers during their peaceful demonstration at Parliament gate, Nairobi, on 19th November 2025.
Health workers under the Global Fund TV program marched through Nairobi yesterday, Wednesday 19th November 2025, protesting 16 months of unpaid salaries and demanding their absorption into the national government payroll. The demonstration, led by the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers and the Kenya National Union of Laboratory Officers, began at Green Park at 8:30 a.m., proceeding past Parliament, PSC, Treasury, and ending at the Ministry of Health.
Peterson WachiraChairperson of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), highlighted the unequal absorption of staff, noting that only 25 of the 91 affected officers 25 clinical officers and 76 laboratory officers had been integrated by the Ministry of Health while at the Parliament gate.
“These people are suffering…some have broken down in front of the camera,” Wachira said, recounting the tragic case of Gladys Rimwe, who committed suicide in April 2024 after months of unpaid salaries.
He stressed that the Ministry bears primary responsibility for absorbing the remaining staff. “The primary responsibility to absorb these people lies with the Ministry because these officers were engaged before devolution and were never transitioned to county governments,” he said.
Wachira detailed a protracted bureaucratic process that has left the officers in administrative limbo. Although many are stationed at county facilities, they remain technically national government employees.
“We are requesting Parliament to convene a multi-agency consultative meeting including the Ministry of Health, Treasury, PSC, and Council of Governors to fast-track resolution of this impasse,” he said.
He further urged that absorbed officers’ job groupings reflect their years of service, qualifications, and experience.
MP Dr. James Nyikal, Chair of the Health Committee, pointed out the systemic nature of the issue.
“This is a national problem. We must look for money and bring these workers together. They are not Global Fund or UHC workers they are workers for the health sector,” Nyikal said.
He recalled that a similar framework had resolved issues for UHC workers and proposed the same approach for the current cohort.
“The matter cannot be solved overnight. But it will be considered during the supplementary budget process, and if unresolved, it must be revived and addressed by February,” he added.
Nyikal clarified that the affected officers’ work remains under national government oversight.
“These officers were employed under the Ministry of Health, primarily in TB and HIV clinics. While they may have been stationed at counties, they continued to operate under the national government,” he said.
He urged the staff to remain patient as committees work to ensure the transition and payment processes are aligned with those of UHC workers.
At the senate, Senator Joe Nyutu of Murang’a County criticized the Ministry for failing to honor commitments.
“We cannot have a government ministry that cannot keep its word. To have Kenyans serving in hospitals go 16 months without pay, when there is money in the system, is unacceptable,” he said.
Nyutu stressed the moral duty of the government to care for its employees. “This is a small number that should be dealt with urgently. We cannot throw workers serving under the ministry under the bus,” he added.
Senator Okiyo Omtatah also welcomed the unions’ memorandum, emphasizing the national government’s responsibility.
“If your services are being enjoyed, the role of government is to provide goods and services to the population. It is our duty to take care of your service providers,” he said.
Senator Okiyo Omtatah emphasized the national government’s responsibility in ensuring health workers are paid when counties are unable to meet their obligations.
“We will ensure that this issue gets traction in the Senate. The constitution is clear that if counties cannot pay, the national government must take responsibility, and the proper transfer mechanisms must be implemented,” Omtatah said.
The unions warned that prolonged inaction violates labor rights, human dignity, and constitutional principles, citing Article 28 on human dignity, Article 26 on the right to life, and Article 41 on fair labor practices.
They condemned bureaucratic delays that leave loyal health workers without pay while counties continue hiring new staff.
The peaceful protest underscored the ongoing plight of health workers caught between the Ministry of Health, Treasury, PSC, and county governments. Organizers said the march aimed to raise awareness and pressure authorities to urgently address salary arrears and finalize a transition framework for the affected Global Fund staff.
