Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dealt a major blow to thousands of health workers employed under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.

Duale declared that the government lacks the funds to offer them permanent and pensionable jobs.

Speaking on Sunday, May 18, Duale said the Ministry of Health has only KSh 3.5 billion available, an amount he stated is just enough to hire nurses on short-term contracts.

“I want you to listen to me; I don’t have the money,” Duale said bluntly.

He ruled out any possibility of absorbing the over 8,500 UHC workers permanently unless the Senate intervenes with additional funding.

“The only money I have is KSh 3.5 billion, which is for nurses’ contracts, and their money will be handled by county governments. From the first of July, I am going to transfer the whole payroll to counties.”

His remarks come amid growing discontent among healthcare workers, who have already issued a formal strike notice set to begin on Tuesday, May 20.

The workers accuse the government of systemic neglect, unfair treatment, and failure to address their welfare since their employment under the UHC scheme between 2019 and 2020.

Duale, however, sasserting that the UHC payroll transfer to counties was legal and long overdue.

He blamed the former administration for what he termed an unlawful centralisation of the workers’ contracts.

“I will not reverse my decision,” he said, reiterating that the national government has no direct contractual obligations with the UHC workers.

He has since directed Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga to oversee the payroll transition over the next 45 days.

The workers argue that devolution of the payroll will worsen their job security and delay salaries, citing poor coordination and commitment from county governments.

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that the Kenyan government plans to transfer all UHC staff to county government payrolls starting July 1, 2025, as part of efforts to devolve health services.

Duale, in a state1ment on May 4, confirmed the move, stating that current contracts will remain valid until May 2026 and staff will be transitioned to permanent terms in the 2026/27 financial year.

However, the decision has sparked backlash from UHC workers, who have been on strike since February over delayed salaries, lack of contract renewals, unequal pay, and job insecurity.

They demand a dedicated budget for their absorption and have threatened further protests to pressure the government.

Source: TUKO.co.ke