Governors have raised sharp objections to a plan by the Ministry of Health to absorb more than 7,400 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into county governments. The county leaders argue that the process is being rushed and lacks proper consultation between the two levels of government.
The Ministry recently announced that it had concluded a verification exercise on UHC staff payrolls. Out of 7,629 employees assessed, 215 were flagged as ghost workers or unqualified personnel, leaving 7,414 considered eligible for absorption. However, governors maintain that the verification report has not yet been validated or officially shared with counties. They insist that no transfer of health workers should take place until both levels of government review and endorse the findings.
County leaders further argue that funds for the salaries of the affected staff must be disbursed directly into county accounts before the transfer can proceed. They emphasize that payment should align with guidelines issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to avoid future disputes over pay structures. Without this financial assurance, governors say counties will be burdened with unfunded liabilities that could disrupt service delivery.
Another point of contention is the issue of gratuity and pending entitlements. The governors demand that the national government first settle all benefits owed to UHC staff before finalising the transfer. They warn that absorbing staff without clearing these obligations risks creating tensions between employees and county administrations.
Additionally, governors argue that the timing of the move is premature. The existing contracts of the UHC staff are still valid, and rushing the absorption plan undermines the transition process. They caution that such an approach could destabilise health services rather than improve them.
Despite their concerns, county leaders have expressed willingness to eventually take over the workforce once proper procedures are followed. They acknowledge that integrating the UHC staff into county systems is crucial for improving healthcare outcomes and strengthening devolved health services. However, they insist that the process must be transparent, consultative, and financially supported to guarantee sustainability.
The standoff underscores the ongoing friction between national and county governments over health sector management. With both sides emphasising the importance of UHC, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the impasse is resolved in the interest of patients across the country.
