The standoff over fate of 8,000 UHC health workers’ future has continued to spark mixed reactions, with Nandi Senator Cherargei now urging their immediate absorption into permanent, pensionable terms to ensure healthcare system stability.
In a strongly worded address, Cherargei emphasised the growing frustration among UHC workers who remain in limbo due to a deadlock between the national and county governments.
While the government has announced that 7,414 UHC staff will be formally absorbed beginning September 2025, the senator questioned the fate of those left out of the plan.
"This issue is not just about jobs, it is about the future of healthcare in Kenya," said Cherargei.
He said while this announcement is a step in the right direction, it raises serious concerns regarding the status of those with unresolved issues, which could lead to job insecurity and further exacerbate the existing tensions within the healthcare workforce.
“We cannot afford to ignore the livelihoods of thousands of workers who form the backbone of our health system, especially those who stood firm during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said Wednesday.
The Senator also raised alarm over recent revelations of ghost workers within the UHC system.
These fraudulent entries have cast a shadow over the integrity of the absorption process, with concerns that genuine health professionals may be sidelined while undeserving individuals benefit.
Cherargei further criticised the government’s failure to fulfill promised payments to many UHC staff, noting that delayed salaries and unkept commitments have demoralized a workforce already under immense pressure.
“How can we speak of Universal Health Coverage when our frontline workers are being neglected and betrayed?” he asked.
He called on the Ministry of Health, county governments, and all stakeholders to urgently convene and resolve the ongoing crisis.
According to him, only a transparent and equitable process can restore trust and ensure that all qualified UHC workers are duly absorbed.
“This is a test of our national priorities. If we are serious about accessible and quality healthcare for all Kenyans, we must start by treating our health workers with the dignity and respect they deserve,” he stated.
As the September absorption date draws near, the healthcare community and the public await further clarity from the government.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Monday that the government will begin absorbing 7,414 UHC staff into the public service starting September 2025.
Duale said the move follows the completion of a nationwide verification exercise jointly conducted by the State Department for Medical Services and the Council of Governors (COG).
“Out of the 7,629 UHC staff verified, 215 failed to present themselves. These individuals have been identified as either ghost workers or unqualified health professionals,” said Duale.
He added that salaries for the 215 have been stopped, and they have been removed from the government payroll pending investigations aimed at recovering any irregular payments made.
The remaining 7,414 eligible staff will be placed in two categories: those currently in active service and those facing disciplinary cases.
