Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers have called for the impeachment of Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, accusing him of gross misconduct and mismanagement of healthcare staff. In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, August 27, the workers urged Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in Tharaka Nithi to begin impeachment proceedings, saying the governor’s recent remarks on their employment were reckless, misleading, and an affront to their service.
The workers also threatened to stage demonstrations at the Tharaka Nithi County Headquarters until Njuki, who serves as the Health Committee Chair of the Council of Governors (CoG), retracts his comments and issues a public apology. They further pressed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to probe alleged graft, nepotism, and mismanagement tied to the governor since assuming office.
“We categorically distance ourselves from the reckless, insensitive, and misleading remarks made by the chairperson of the Council of Governors. His statements are an insult to the sacrifices of healthcare workers and do not reflect the reality in our counties,” their statement read.
The uproar follows remarks made by Njuki on Tuesday, August 26, disputing Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s announcement that over 7,000 verified UHC workers would be absorbed by September 2025. Duale had said that after a national verification exercise, 7,414 staff would be grouped into active service and those with pending disciplinary cases, with active staff formally transitioned into permanent roles next year.
Njuki, however, argued that the absorption plan contradicted agreements between national and county governments. He insisted that the move could only be effected once adequate resources were allocated in line with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) scale and after the transfer of payroll responsibilities to counties was resolved.
UHC workers dismissed Njuki’s stance, maintaining that their employment status should not be politicized. They insisted that the health workforce has played a crucial role in delivering essential services, particularly under the UHC program, and deserves recognition rather than dismissal.
As tensions escalate, the ball now rests with Tharaka Nithi MCAs, the CoG, and national health authorities to address the growing rift between healthcare workers and county leadership.
