Public Health Officers Launch Nationwide Protests, Demand Jobs, Better Pay and Ebola Preparedness

Story by Monyonge O’kebati

Public health officers under the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU) have launched a nationwide demonstration campaign to pressure the government to address longstanding employment challenges, improve remuneration and strengthen preventive healthcare services.
The officers are demanding the recruitment of more public health professionals, the posting and payment of interns, a review of risk allowances, recognition of their union and the signing of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
They have also raised concerns over Kenya’s preparedness to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, particularly Ebola, warning that staff shortages and inadequate funding could undermine disease surveillance and prevention efforts.

During the launch of the campaign, the union’s National General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Ben Rashid, accused the government of neglecting public health professionals despite their central role in protecting communities against diseases.
Rashid said the last major recruitment of public health officers was in 2010, leaving the workforce struggling to cope with retirements, promotions and other staffing changes without adequate replacement.
He argued that the prolonged employment gap had weakened the capacity of the public health department to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
“We have been in the hospital, in the promotion, retire, retire, retire. There is no employment. There is no succession plan in the Ministry of Health,” Rashid said, describing the staffing situation as a major concern for the country’s healthcare system.
He called for a comprehensive recruitment programme to replace departing officers and ensure that public health services remain adequately staffed.
Union demands more funding for preventive healthcare
Rashid also criticised what he described as inadequate funding for preventive healthcare, arguing that the government had failed to allocate sufficient resources to a sector responsible for preventing diseases before they spread.
He said public health professionals could not effectively deliver on their mandate if the government continued to provide what he termed minimal financial support.
“Prevention is not an option. Prevention is a priority,” he said, urging the government to place preventive healthcare at the centre of its health policy.
The union maintains that investing in disease prevention, surveillance and community health protection is essential to reducing the risks associated with outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
Rashid argued that the country needed to strengthen its preventive health workforce instead of relying heavily on responses after diseases had already spread.
Ebola preparedness raises concern
The union leader questioned the composition of the national task force established to coordinate the response to Ebola, claiming that public health officers had not been represented in the team.
Rashid argued that the alleged exclusion was difficult to justify given the officers’ training and experience in disease surveillance, contact tracing and outbreak prevention.
He said public health officers were among the professionals best positioned to identify emerging health threats, monitor disease transmission and support interventions aimed at preventing further infections.
During his address, Rashid referred to more than nine Ebola cases, but did not specify their locations or clarify whether they were confirmed infections, suspected cases or reports under investigation.
The figures could not be independently established from his remarks and require confirmation from the Ministry of Health.
Nevertheless, the union leader insisted that the government should recognise the contribution of public health professionals in national disease preparedness and response programmes.
He called on the Ministry of Health, Principal Secretary Muthoni and other government officials to address the union’s concerns, warning that inadequate staffing could compromise the country’s ability to respond to emerging health threats.
The officers argue that increasing their numbers would strengthen disease surveillance, improve community health education and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to outbreaks and environmental health challenges.
Interns, risk allowances and collective bargaining
Beyond recruitment, the union wants the government to address the status of public health officer interns, including their posting and payment of outstanding entitlements.
The officers are also seeking a review and enhancement of risk allowances, citing the responsibilities associated with disease prevention, environmental health monitoring and responding to public health emergencies.
The union has further demanded formal recognition and the signing of a collective bargaining agreement to provide a framework for addressing employment terms, remuneration and other workplace concerns.
Rashid said the government needed to engage the union and provide clear commitments on the issues affecting its members.
The demands come amid broader concerns over staffing levels and the resources available to professionals responsible for disease prevention and public health protection.
Union threatens intensified action
Rashid announced that the union was launching a nationwide demonstration campaign to push the government to respond to its grievances.
He warned that public health officers could establish a protest camp at the Ministry of Health and remain there until their concerns were addressed.
The union leader also called on officers to consider staying at home in the event of Ebola cases, arguing that the government needed to take their demands seriously.
Such a move could have implications for disease surveillance and other preventive health services if implemented. The union’s remarks, however, did not establish a specific date or duration for a work boycott.
The officers maintain that their demands are intended to strengthen the public health system, improve their working conditions and ensure that Kenya has the personnel required to protect communities from disease outbreaks.
Government urged to address staffing gaps
The dispute places renewed attention on the role of public health professionals in Kenya’s healthcare system, particularly in disease prevention, environmental health, surveillance and emergency preparedness.
The union argues that a properly staffed and adequately funded preventive healthcare department would help the country identify health threats earlier and reduce the risks associated with outbreaks.
It is calling on the government to address recruitment gaps, improve the terms of service for existing officers and interns, and involve public health professionals in national disease response structures.
The government had not responded to the allegations and demands in the material available for this report.
The union says its campaign will continue until the government engages its leadership and takes action on employment, remuneration, funding and recognition.