NAIROBI, Kenya – The Council of Governors (CoG) has pushed back against a Ministry of Health directive on the absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff, terming the move “premature and untimely.”
In a statement issued Tuesday, CoG Health Committee chair Governor Muthomi Njuki said the Ministry’s position contradicts earlier agreements between the two levels of government.
“The press statement by the Ministry of Health contradicts the previously agreed position between the National and County Governments,” Njuki said.
Key sticking points
- Transfer of staff: The governors said the payroll cannot be transferred until the Ministry allocates adequate resources based on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) salary scales. They noted that the contracts of the current UHC staff are still valid.
- Verification: CoG argued that the verification exercise for UHC workers has not been validated or officially shared, making the proposed transfer irregular.
- Gratuity: The governors insisted the Ministry must settle gratuity payments for contractual UHC staff before counties can take over their employment.
Njuki stressed that counties are willing to absorb verified UHC staff, but only once resources have been disbursed and gratuity obligations honoured.
Warning to the State
The governors warned that without proper funding, absorbing UHC workers will be “unattainable.”
“The Constitution provides that both levels of government should relate on the basis of consultation as opposed to directive,” CoG said, urging the Ministry to channel funds directly to counties in line with county HR policies.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Ministry of Health but said genuine consultation was necessary to safeguard health service delivery across the devolved units.
