Ruto orders permanent jobs for UHC medics starting this month

President William Ruto has stepped in to resolve the deadlock between county governments and the Health ministry over the status of universal health coverage (UHC) staff, announcing that the medics will now be placed on permanent and pensionable terms starting this month.

Speaking at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, the President said the move is meant to give job security to frontline health workers who have been serving the country under contracts, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“They have really suffered, but I want to announce here today that they will be permanently employed. We will absorb them from being contractors to permanent and pensionable. My administration has set aside funds for their employment,” Ruto said on Thursday.

He explained that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission had already adjusted the pay for the UHC medics, paving the way for their transition to permanent terms.

“I am telling the county governments that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission has already increased their salaries from being contract workers with small incomes into permanent and pensionable terms. This is because we have the resources to do it,” he added.

The Head of State appealed to governors to work with the national government in implementing the decision, stressing that the matter should not be turned into a standoff.

“We do not want to go back and forth over this matter. We are dealing with health workers who are participating in the most transformative assignment we have as a nation—making sure health is available for every citizen and not a privileged few who can afford,” Ruto said.

His announcement came days after all 47 counties dismissed a directive by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to absorb the medics, citing financial and administrative hurdles. The counties argued that the ministry had not provided the Sh7.7 billion needed to pay salaries.

“The Ministry of Health and counties partnership is supposed to be collaborative not directive,” said Council of Governors Health Committee Chairperson and Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki. He listed lack of consultation, an unverified staff list, non-disbursement of the agreed Sh7.7 billion, and unpaid gratuity as reasons for rejecting the directive.

At the same event, Ruto urged counties to settle delayed payments for community health promoters, warning against neglecting their stipends. “These are citizens who have families. They are volunteering to support us. We must make that small stipend come in time. It must never delay,” he said.

The President praised Mombasa for topping Social Health Authority (SHA) registration at 69 per cent and encouraged other counties to replicate its efforts to ensure more Kenyans are enrolled.