The Council of Governors (CoG) has opposed the Ministry of Health’s decision to transfer Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to county governments, terming the move premature and inconsistent with earlier agreements between the two levels of government.
In a strongly worded statement released today, the Chair of the CoG Health Committee, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, said the Ministry’s announcement on 25 August contradicted positions previously agreed upon in consultations with counties.
According to Governor Njuki, three critical issues remain unresolved before the absorption of UHC staff can proceed:
- Transfer of staff: The governors insist that the Ministry of Health must allocate adequate resources aligned to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) salary scales before payroll responsibilities are shifted to counties. Since the UHC contracts are still active, Njuki said transferring staff now is “premature and untimely.”
- Verification of staff: Njuki noted that the verification exercise of UHC staff has not been finalised. The report is yet to be validated or officially shared with counties, making the Ministry’s proposed transfer process untenable.
- Payment of gratuity: UHC staff employed on contractual terms are entitled to gratuity, which Njuki said must be paid in full by the Ministry of Health before any transition.
“The Council reiterates its earlier commitment to absorb verified UHC staff and facilitate their salaries in line with the approved SRC salary scales, once the allocation of resources has been disbursed to the counties and gratuity obligations have been honoured,” Governor Njuki stated.
He further emphasised that any transition must be guided by the Constitution, which provides for consultation and cooperation between the two levels of government rather than unilateral directives.
While reaffirming their commitment to collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the governors warned that without adequate funding and proper procedures, the absorption of UHC staff “will be unattainable.”
“This matter is not about resisting devolution of health, it is about ensuring that counties have the resources and clarity to manage staff effectively without disrupting service delivery,” Njuki said.
The standoff comes at a critical time for Kenya’s health sector, with counties shouldering increasing responsibilities in service delivery under devolution.