UHC workers’ payroll to be moved to county governments beginning July 1
All staff currently out of duty have been directed to resume work immediately, and not later than tomorrow
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers will be placed under the county governments in the next financial year.
In a joint statement released after a consultative meeting with the Council of Governors (CoG) and officials from key health unions, Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga and CoG CEO Mary Mwiti said the transfer will include the budget for payment of stipends under the current terms during the transition period.
“The Ministry of Health shall transfer the management of UHC staff payroll to counties effective 1st July, 2025, with attendant budget for payment of stipend under the current terms in the interim,” the statement stated in part.
The meeting was chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, and attended by leaders from the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers, and the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union.
During the transition of UHC staff to county governments, the devolved units are expected to receive additional funding before the expiry of the current UHC contracts to facilitate full absorption of the staff into permanent and pensionable terms.
“County governments will be provided with additional funds before the expiry of the current UHC contracts for purposes of full absorption to permanent and pensionable terms,” the statement added.
In addition, service gratuity payments will be considered after the absorption process is concluded.
Further, the union leaders together with the ministry agreed that the UHC workers who have been out of duty due to strike should resume work immediately not later than tomorrow.
”All UHC staff currently out of duty have been directed to resume work immediately, and not later than May 7, 2025,” the statement said.
