The Council of Governors (CoG) has opposed a decision by the Ministry of Health to place more than 7,000 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff on permanent and pensionable terms.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 26, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who chairs the CoG Health Committee, said the move goes against an earlier agreement between the national and county governments.
Njuki argued that staff absorption should only happen once funds have been allocated in line with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) scales and after the payroll has been officially handed over to counties. He noted that the workers are still on contract and their terms remain valid.
“The decision to absorb staff at this time is premature and untimely,” Njuki said, adding that counties have not yet validated the verification report on UHC staff.
The governors also want the ministry to clear all gratuity payments owed to the health workers before they are transferred to counties.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had earlier announced that 7,414 verified UHC staff would be absorbed starting September 2025. He said the workers will be split into two groups: those in active service who will be retained, and those facing disciplinary issues who risk being struck off the payroll.
The government insists the decision followed a joint verification exercise between the ministry and the CoG. But county chiefs maintain that they will only take over the workers once resources are released and gratuity obligations are honored.
