Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff are up in arms after rejecting a proposed stipend plan, accusing the Ministry of Health of reneging on its commitment to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and offloading payroll management to counties without budgetary support.
The uproar follows a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, and several health workers’ unions after a consultative meeting led by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. The resolution outlines that, starting in July 2025, county governments will take over UHC staff payroll management, with stipends maintained under current terms.
Universal Health Coverage
However, health workers are not buying it. They argue that instead of implementing SRC-prescribed pay rates, the Ministry is merely pushing the problem to counties without adequate financial backing. Some staff also claim that the ministry’s promise to absorb them as permanent and pensionable employees remains hollow, as no budget allocation has been made for this transition.
The clause on service gratuity has also stirred controversy, with many calling it vague and conditional. Meanwhile, off duty staff were ordered to resume work by today, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, but many feel the directive fails to address the real issues at hand.
Frustrated health workers are calling out the ministry for shifting the payroll problem rather than solving it, demanding clear and actionable commitments instead of vague promises.
