Betrayed & Broke: Civil Servants Declare War on Government Over Unpaid Medical Bills, Threaten Strike
Kenyan civil servants have issued a 14-day strike notice, accusing the government of neglecting their welfare. The dispute centers around salary deductions for a medical scheme that has left many workers stranded due to unpaid hospital bills.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, March 4, the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS) announced plans to mobilize workers for a nationwide strike starting Monday, March 18, if the government fails to resolve the issue. The dispute involves the Public Officers Medical Fund (POMF), a healthcare cover under the Social Health Authority (SHA), designed to provide comprehensive medical benefits for civil servants and their families.
According to UKCS, the government has failed to pay hospital bills under POMF, forcing public workers to seek alternative ways to fund their treatment despite ongoing monthly deductions. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) also joined the protest, highlighting the financial burden placed on civil servants.
KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah recalled that the medical scheme was introduced in 2012 when workers gave up their medical allowances in exchange for insurance. However, he noted that many are now being deducted twice—2.75% for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and an additional amount for POMF—yet still struggle to access medical care.
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With hospitals nationwide rejecting POMF-covered patients due to unpaid bills, UKCS Secretary-General Tom Odege issued a stern warning.
“We are giving the government two weeks to resolve this matter. If nothing changes, all civil servants at both national and county levels will take to the streets starting March 18,” Odege declared. He further warned that a complete work stoppage could follow in 30 days if the demands are not met.
The strike threat comes as the government grapples with financial challenges linked to the new health system. The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October last year, has faced multiple setbacks.
Last month, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa and Director General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth admitted that of the 19 million Kenyans registered under SHIF, only 3.3 million are actively contributing. Dr. Amoth emphasized the need for broader participation, warning that relying solely on formally employed workers to sustain the scheme is unsustainable.
With tensions rising, civil servants are demanding urgent action to prevent a looming crisis in Kenya’s public service sector
Betrayed & Broke: Civil Servants Declare War on Government Over Unpaid Medical Bills, Threaten Strike
