Oluga Clarifies UHC Staff Letter, Affirms Unity with Duale
Oluga asserted that his communication aligns with the reform plan of the ministry. He testified that the aim is to create fairness, accountability,
Duale announced that out of the 7,629 employees, 7,414 were verified and cleared for transfer. But 215 employees failed to report or were shown as unqualified or nonexistent. PHOTO | MoH
By Juliet Jerotich
Health Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga has refuted claims of a difference with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over the future of UHC workers.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Dr. Oluga explained that his letter to the Council of Governors (CoG) was meant to support, and not oppose, the CS’s directive on the absorption of UHC employees into permanent and pensionable terms.
He stated the letter requested confirmation of active-duty personnel and reserve personnel. He further included the exercise as normal, lawful, and within his mandate as the accounting officer to ensure payroll integrity.
Oluga asserted that his communication aligns with the reform plan of the ministry. He testified that the aim is to create fairness, accountability, and transparency in dealing with UHC personnel. “The CS’s directive and my letter go hand in hand. Both are drafted to yield reforms in a synchronized manner,” he added.
The PS assured the UHC personnel that those confirmed during the verification will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable positions starting from September 2025.
His clarification came after the CS Duale had made an announcement of the result of the headcount exercise. Duale announced that out of the 7,629 employees, 7,414 were verified and cleared for transfer. But 215 employees failed to report or were shown as unqualified or nonexistent.
Duale further reported that all the employees currently in service shall be picked up from September 2025. The ones with outstanding disciplinary issues will go through due process before confirmation. He further added that verification was carried out together with the CoG.
Despite these assurances, governors grumbled. They were against the then-proposed realignment of UHC workers to counties as premature. They argue that the action violates an earlier understanding between the two governments.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, the CoG Health Committee chair, said that the Ministry of Health first has to settle the gratuities for the UHC staff before any transfers can be done. He explained that governors will not accept delivery until such financial liability is taken care of.
The existing disagreement now recognizes tension between county and national governments over managing the UHC workforce, even as both entities swore to improve healthcare delivery across the nation.
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