The doctors who were employed on contract at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are now assured of better deals after the hospital promised them permanent and pensionable jobs.
The promise was made on Monday, January 12, during a strategic meeting between KNH Chief Executive Officer, Richard Lesiyampe, and the leadership of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union, headed by the Secretary General, Davji Atellah.
As per the hospital, along with the union, the transition would be completed towards the end of the 2025/26 financial year, based on mutual acceptance that the cost of being contract employees, along with the fact that the current scenario would be difficult to sustain, has been recognized.
“We came to an agreement that contract-based employment was not sustainable or efficient. Lesiyampe agreed that by the end of the financial year, she would transition from contract employment to Permanent and Pensionable terms of service,” said Atellah in a statement.
In the new structure, doctors and other affected employees will be transferred to permanent(factory)-based contracts that entitle them to pension benefits, resulting in stability in their employment.
The KMPDU welcomed this development, calling it an important milestone that will go a long way in improving working conditions of healthcare providers and ensuring quality of care provided to patients at national referral hospitals.
This is set to affect thousands of employees at the Kenya National Hospital who have for years complained about the contract relationship they have with the employer and the lack of employee benefits.
Both the union and the management of KNH agreed to collaborate on the smooth transition process as per the timelines agreed upon.
In the same meeting, management of KNH announced that it is fast tracking the implementation of Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance cover for all its staff and the introduction of private insurance cover by July 2026.
This comes as a result of several protests organized by health professionals who were recruited through the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme as well as others who were hired during the COVID-19 period and have been demanding employment.
Towards the tail end of last year, the MoH announced the hiring of over 7,000 UHC health care workers on a permanent and pensionable basis, whose hiring would be considered in the budget for the year 2026/27.
However, the union leaders had earlier shown concern that the timeline was now expired without the release of letters of appointment. After being permanently recruited, healthcare personnel will start receiving salary payment instead of stipend payments, according to guidelines set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
They shall be en route to pensionable schemes, comprehensive health insurance, as well as other opportunities.