The government should urgently regularise terms of service for Universal Health Coverage workers to ensure the success of the programme, ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi has said.
The Vihiga senator said giving UHC staff permanent and pensionable terms of service will address the long-standing issues that have affected the programme.
He said that the primary health workers who continue to serve on temporary terms without job security cannot deliver the programme’s goals.
"The Ministry of Health must prioritise transition of UHC staff to permanent and pensionable terms to guarantee them dignity and certainty of employment as they are front-line health workers delivering critical services to Kenyans," Osotsi said.
He spoke during the inaugural Garissa Cultural Festival hosted by Governor Nathif Jama under the theme, "Celebrating timeless traditions woven in unity".
The event was attended by top dignitaries, including Health CS Aden Duale, Gender CS Hanna Cheptumo, and Somali region of Ethiopia president Mustafa Muhumed Omar.
Other leaders present included governors Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir), Mahmoud Mohammed (Marsabit), Issa Timamy (Lamu), Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Mandera East MP Hussein Weytan, PS Ummi Bashir and Somalia ambassador to Kenya Jabril Abdulle.
The UHC initiative is a flagship pillar of the government’s health agenda under Vision 2030 that continues to face structural and operational challenges, with health workers on the programme lamenting delayed payments, poor working conditions, and lack of career progression.
Some of the challenges facing the programme include low employment of health personnel, skewed resource distribution, inadequate infrastructure and persistent shortages of medical supplies across counties.
Osotsi urged the Council of Governors, which plays a central role in the devolved health function, to support the Senate in safeguarding devolution, especially as the fourth generation of the revenue-sharing formula comes up for debate.
"The CoG must rally behind the Senate to protect devolution. The upcoming revenue-sharing debate is not just about numbers. It's about ensuring equitable access to healthcare and other essential services in all regions," he said.
The senator further highlighted the importance of inclusivity in national budgeting, noting that the recent memorandum of understanding between ODM and UDA underscored a shared commitment to balanced development.
"The ODM-UDA MoU tackles inclusivity in national budgetary allocations, a key issue in reducing regional disparities. Kenya Kwanza should reflect this spirit in the 2025-26 budget estimates currently before the National Assembly," the senator said.
His remarks come when debates on the upcoming national budget and county funding formula are intensifying, with marginalised counties fearing underfunding in the new fiscal cycle.
CS Duale lauded the cultural festival for promoting national unity and cultural pride, adding that Garissa was emerging as a beacon of harmony in the region. He urged Kenyans to reject divisive politics and embrace culture as a force for cohesion.
"Culture bridges our differences and reaffirms our shared values. It is through unity that we can build a stronger, healthier and more inclusive nation," Duale said.
