NAIROBI, Kenya – Health Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga has dismissed claims of a rift with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over the absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent and pensionable terms.
In a statement on Thursday, Dr. Oluga said his recent communication to the Council of Governors (CoG) was misinterpreted and clarified that it was meant to reinforce, not contradict, the CS’s announcement on the fate of UHC workers.
“The PS’s letter to the CoG CEO focused on verifying which staff are on duty and which are not, for purposes of payroll cleansing. This exercise is both routine and legally required as part of the accounting officer’s responsibility,” he explained.
Oluga stressed that his letter was aligned with the ministry’s reform agenda, aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness in workforce management.
“The PS’s letter and the CS’s announcement complement and reinforce each other as part of a coordinated reform agenda,” he added.
He assured UHC staff that all duly verified workers will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms starting September 2025.
His remarks came after CS Duale confirmed that 7,414 out of 7,629 UHC staff had been verified and cleared for transition.
According to Duale, 215 individuals either failed to present themselves for headcount or were flagged as non-existent or unqualified.
“Those in active service will be formally absorbed with effect from September 2025, while those with pending disciplinary issues will be subjected to due process,” the CS said, noting the exercise was conducted jointly with the CoG.
However, the Council of Governors has opposed the planned transfer of UHC staff to counties, terming it premature.
CoG Health Committee Chairperson and Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said the Ministry of Health must first settle gratuity payments owed to UHC workers before any transfer can take place.
