Take health back from counties, union tells state

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Kenya National Public Health Officers Union Secretary General Brown Ashira at Radio Maisha on July 4, 2026. [Bernard Orwongo, Standard]

The Kenya National Public Health Officers Union (KNPHOU) wants the health function returned to the national government, blaming devolution for the sector's persistent problems.

Speaking on Tuesday, July 4, during an interview on Spice FM, KNPHOU Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer Brown Ashira accused county governments of repeatedly failing to implement Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) despite years of negotiations and signed agreements.

Ashira said the failure to honour CBAs sits at the centre of recurring health workers' strikes disrupting services in public hospitals.