CoG says UHC staff transition premature pending resources and gratuity

The Council of Governors (CoG) has challenged the Ministry of Health’s plan to absorb Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into county payrolls, citing unresolved issues around timing, verification, and gratuity payments.

Governor Muthomi Njuki, chair of the Health Committee at CoG, on Tuesday said the Ministry’s position contradicts previously agreed terms between national and county governments, potentially undermining the smooth transition of health workers.

On the transfer of UHC staff, the Council noted that the Ministry should first allocate sufficient resources according to the approved Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) scale before moving the payroll to counties.

“Since the contracts are still valid, the decision to transfer the staff at this time is premature and untimely,” Njuki said in a statement.

Regarding verification of UHC staff, the Council raised concerns over the Ministry’s proposed transfer process, pointing out that the verification exercise has not been officially validated or shared.

The CoG maintains that any transition should only involve fully verified staff.

The Council also highlighted the payment of gratuity for UHC staff currently employed on contractual terms.

Njuki stated that the Ministry must settle all gratuity obligations before staff are absorbed into county systems.

The Council reaffirmed its commitment to absorb verified staff and facilitate salaries according to the SRC scale once counties receive the necessary funds and gratuity obligations are met.

“The Constitution provides that both levels of government should relate on the basis of consultation as opposed to directive,” Njuki said, urging collaboration and proper resource allocation.

The CoG recommends that the Ministry channel the required resources to counties to ensure the successful absorption of UHC staff under county human resource policies.

The Council of Governors reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with the Ministry to resolve UHC staff management matters and strengthen health service delivery across all counties

Earlier, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that 7,414 UHC staff would be absorbed into public service starting September 2025, following a verification exercise conducted jointly by the State Department for Medical Services and CoG.

Out of 7,629 verified staff, 215 were flagged as either ghost workers or unqualified health professionals.

“Salaries for the 215 have been stopped, and they have been removed from the government payroll pending investigations aimed at recovering any irregular payments made,” Duale said.

The remaining staff will be split into two categories: those in active service and those with disciplinary issues.