Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale/HANDOUT
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a smooth transition of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers from the national government payroll to county government payrolls under permanent and pensionable terms of service.
In a statement, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale assured UHC workers, county governments and other health sector stakeholders that the transition process remains on course.
"I wish to reaffirm and assure all Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers, County Governments, health sector stakeholders, and the public that the Government remains fully committed to the seamless transition of UHC workers from the national payroll to County Government payrolls on permanent and pensionable terms of service," Duale said.
The transition follows the government's decision to absorb UHC workers into the public service on permanent and pensionable terms with effect from July 1, 2026, in line with guidance issued by the Public Service Commission and other relevant government agencies.
According to the Health CS, the Public Service Commission had extended the contracts of UHC workers up to June 30, 2026, to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services as the government finalized administrative and financial arrangements for the transition.
"In anticipation of the transition, the Public Service Commission extended the contracts of UHC workers up to 30th June 2026 to ensure continuity of service while the necessary administrative and financial arrangements were being finalized," he said.
Duale said significant progress had already been made through a Multi-Agency Committee established to oversee the transition process.
Among the key milestones, he said, is the ongoing reclassification of funding from the County Governments Additional Allocation (CGAA) framework to the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), a move expected to facilitate the transfer of payroll responsibilities from the national government to county governments.
He further assured workers that all those transitioning to permanent and pensionable terms would receive salaries and allowances in accordance with the remuneration structure approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
"All UHC workers transitioning to permanent and pensionable terms will be remunerated in accordance with the salary scales and allowances approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), ensuring harmonised and equitable terms of service across the country," Duale said.
The Ministry of Health is working jointly with the Council of Governors, county governments, the Public Service Commission, the National Treasury, the Commission for Revenue Allocation and other stakeholders to ensure the transfer of staff and payroll responsibilities is completed without disrupting healthcare services.
Duale acknowledged the role played by UHC workers in expanding access to healthcare across the country, thanking them for their patience and commitment during the transition period.
He urged healthcare workers to continue offering services diligently at their respective stations while the remaining processes are concluded.
The CS also called on county governments to maintain close engagement with UHC workers and keep them informed of the progress of the transition.
The transition of UHC workers to permanent and pensionable terms has been a long-standing demand by healthcare workers, who have repeatedly called for job security and harmonised employment terms after years of serving on contractual arrangements.
