The National Assembly Health Committee has recommended an additional Sh47 billion allocation for the Ministry of Health in the 2025/26 budget, aimed at securing permanent and pensionable terms for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers and enhancing health service delivery nationwide.
Chairperson James Nyikal emphasized the urgency of the funding, revealing that Sh5 billion is earmarked to pay gratuity to 8,550 UHC workers whose contracts expire in May 2026.
The workers had recently threatened to strike over concerns about job security.
“The additional amount is critical. If the UHC workers are not sorted out, they will go on strike,” Nyikal warned during a presentation to the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
For the upcoming financial year, the government has set aside Sh4 billion to cover the workers’ stipends, while another Sh3.8 billion is proposed to formalize their employment on permanent and pensionable terms, ensuring long-term stability.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale previously advised the workers to address their concerns to Parliament, which holds the budgetary authority.
Nyikal also disclosed plans to transfer the payroll and management of UHC staff to county governments starting July 1, 2025, noting that “people cannot be in the counties when their payroll is in Nairobi. Let the county governments handle it.”
In addition, the committee proposed Sh3.285 billion to support 107,831 community health promoters who receive a monthly stipend of Sh5,000, with payments currently shared between the national and county governments. It was agreed that consolidating payments to one government level would reduce confusion.
Despite ongoing support through provision of kits to community health promoters, no budget allocation has been made for replenishing kits and consumables in the next financial year, despite a projected need of Sh4.39 billion.
The proposed budget also includes Sh33.9 billion for maternal, newborn, and child health services, which have suffered funding cuts following the United States’ suspension of support.
An additional Sh4.3 billion is allocated for the procurement of HIV drugs, family planning supplies, vaccines, and support for GAVI and UNICEF initiatives.
Overall, the Ministry of Health’s budget stands at Sh136.8 billion, marking a modest increase of Sh708 million compared to the current financial year.
