University Students Set Wednesday Deadline as 90-Day Strike Raises Ebola Concerns

University students and public health practitioners have threatened nationwide demonstrations from Wednesday, October 21, unless the government resolves the ongoing health workers’ strike, which has entered its 90th day.

The Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHUPU) issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Monday, October 19, during a meeting at Kenyatta University, warning that continued disruption could worsen the country’s public health challenges.

The group called on President William Ruto to intervene urgently, arguing that the prolonged industrial action could undermine disease surveillance and complicate efforts to contain the deadly Ebola virus amid growing regional concerns.

“We are issuing a 48-hour notice to the government: you either end the strike, or we mobilise nationwide for demonstration this coming Wednesday,” one of the leaders said.

The students and union representatives also challenged Parliament to investigate the circumstances surrounding the dispute, questioning why public health workers had allegedly been neglected in government funding and employment arrangements.

The strike stems from several unresolved grievances, including demands for permanent and pensionable employment for workers serving under short-term Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund contracts.

The union has also protested low risk allowances, saying some public health officers receive between KSh2,000 and KSh3,000 monthly despite working in potentially hazardous environments.

Kenya has approximately 4,200 public health officers serving a population approaching 50 million, raising concerns about inadequate staffing, impending retirements and limited recruitment.

The union further accuses national and county governments of failing to implement signed collective bargaining agreements, provide comprehensive medical insurance and adequately finance preventive healthcare programmes.

The dispute has persisted despite previous calls for dialogue. During the Kenya Health Summit town hall on August 19, President Ruto proposed dedicated committees to negotiate collective bargaining agreements and resolve labour disputes before they escalate into strikes.

He also directed government officials to clear outstanding health workers’ salary arrears within a week and improve coordination with county governments to address payment delays.

With the students’ ultimatum set to expire on Wednesday, attention is now turning to whether the government will reach an agreement with the striking workers or face demonstrations across the country.

https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/127954-public-health-students-threaten-nationwide-protests-over-90-day-health-workers-strike

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