The Council of Governors has accused Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale of mismanagement in the transfer of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff from national governments to county governments. 

According to the Governors, who addressed the press on Monday, the mishandling of UHC staff by Duale is likely to cause friction between the two levels of government. 

Council of Governors Chairperson and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdulahi has called out CS Duale, saying he is keen on fast tracking the transfer of the UHC staff employed during the COVID era to counties yet there are no accompanying funds to take care of their salaries and gratuity.

The UHC staff last week staged demos at the Ministry of Health headquarters and Parliament, demanding employment on permanent and pensionable terms, or be paid gratuity for having worked for the last six years, then allow for their seeking fresh mandates in individual counties.

The Council of Governors avers that it would be akin to committing to a programme blindly as there are still funding challenges, hence a danger in absorbing the UHC staff without accompanying funds.

CoG Health Committee chairperson Muthomi Njuki asked the Ministry of Health to deal, exhaustively, with the UHC staff and allow a seamless takeover.

The Council of Governors has also taken issue with a recent donation of surveillance vehicles by the National Government, officiated by president Ruto. They said the move amounts to a continued usurping of county powers by the National Government, as the procurement of vehicles is a county function.

Consequently, the governors argued that it would be extremely difficult to insure vehicles purchased by the national government, posing a danger to operations.

They sought a meeting with the president to address county funding challenges that they say have been persistent.

CoG chair Ahmed Abdulahi says despite their ask of Ksh.536 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year, only Ksh.405 billion has been allocated, an amount far less.

Moreso, the Government owes counties three months funds totaling to about Ksh.76 billion

The Council also wants the president to live up to his promise of having devolved functions funded.