A storm is brewing in Tharaka Nithi County after Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers called for the impeachment of Governor Muthomi Njuki.
The workers are angry over his recent remarks opposing plans to give them permanent and pensionable jobs.
In a strong statement on Wednesday, August 27, the healthcare workers accused the governor of being insensitive and misleading the public.
They want Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to remove him from office for what they describe as “gross misconduct” and poor leadership in handling healthcare matters.
Governor Njuki is also the Chair of the Council of Governors’ Health Committee a role the workers say he has misused.
The workers have also called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate possible corruption cases linked to the governor since he took office.
According to the health workers, governor’s remarks have disrespected the sacrifices they’ve made across the country and theirfore they are demanding a public apology.
“Governor Njuki’s comments are reckless and completely ignore the realities healthcare workers face every day,” read part of their statement. “It’s sad that under his watch, we continue to see favouritism, corruption, and poor management in the health sector.”
Their protest comes just days after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that over 7,000 UHC workers would be officially hired on permanent and pensionable terms starting in September 2025.
Duale said the decision followed a thorough vetting process done jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors. The workers will be divided into two groups those currently working without issues and those with ongoing disciplinary matters. The ones actively working will be absorbed first.
“This is a major step forward for our healthcare system,” Duale said on Monday, August 25.
But a day later, Governor Njuki pushed back against the announcement. He said the Ministry’s move goes against what had been agreed between national and county governments.
Njuki argued that counties should not be expected to hire the workers unless the national government provides enough funding, and only after payroll responsibilities are fully handed over to counties.
“While we support ongoing cooperation between both levels of government, this decision by the Ministry of Health contradicts what we had previously agreed,” Njuki said in a statement on Tuesday, August 26.
For now, tensions remain high. Healthcare workers say they’re not backing down until Governor Njuki takes back his comments and apologizes publicly.
With over 7,000 UHC staff hoping for permanent jobs, the standoff between national and county leadership could shape the future of Kenya’s healthcare workforce.
