[Kenya] Government will transfer all UHC staff to county payroll despite opposition

The Kenyan government will transfer all Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to the devolved units' payroll as part of a wider plan to transform the sector, MSN reports.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that the payroll transition will take effect on July 1.

On May 13, Secretary Duale said, "Following these engagements, the ministry wishes to inform Kenyans, healthcare worker unions, and stakeholders of the agreements. By July 1, 2025, the management of UHC staff payrolls and associated budgets will be transferred to county governments."

The move has reportedly been met with opposition from UHC workers. The workers are asking the Ministry of Health to allocate a budget for the absorption of UHC staff before the payrolls can be moved to the counties.

In his statement, Mr Duale said all UHC staff will be moved to the county government from July 1.

He added that all UHC staff contracts, as agreed between individual staff and county governments, will remain valid until May 2026, as per the signed agreements.

The UHC staff, who will be moved to permanent and pensionable terms of employment, will reportedly be incorporated into the financial year 2026/27 budget upon contract expiry.

"The Ministry of Health remains committed to the success of Universal Health Coverage and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of UHC staff in delivering essential health services across the country. We will continue to foster collaborative solutions to uphold their welfare and ensure seamless healthcare service delivery for all Kenyans," Mr Duale said.

Source: MSN

(Quotes via original reporting)

The Kenyan government will transfer all Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to the devolved units' payroll as part of a wider plan to transform the sector, MSN reports.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that the payroll transition will take effect on July 1.

On May 13, Secretary Duale said, "Following these engagements, the ministry wishes to inform Kenyans, healthcare worker unions, and stakeholders of the agreements. By July 1, 2025, the management of UHC staff payrolls and associated budgets will be transferred to county governments."

The move has reportedly been met with opposition from UHC workers. The workers are asking the Ministry of Health to allocate a budget for the absorption of UHC staff before the payrolls can be moved to the counties.

In his statement, Mr Duale said all UHC staff will be moved to the county government from July 1.

He added that all UHC staff contracts, as agreed between individual staff and county governments, will remain valid until May 2026, as per the signed agreements.

The UHC staff, who will be moved to permanent and pensionable terms of employment, will reportedly be incorporated into the financial year 2026/27 budget upon contract expiry.

"The Ministry of Health remains committed to the success of Universal Health Coverage and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of UHC staff in delivering essential health services across the country. We will continue to foster collaborative solutions to uphold their welfare and ensure seamless healthcare service delivery for all Kenyans," Mr Duale said.

Source: MSN

(Quotes via original reporting)