The Ministry of Health has announced that County Governments will officially take over the management of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff payroll starting 1st July 2025.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday after a consultative meeting with the Council of Governors and health sector unions, the ministry confirmed that counties will also receive the necessary budget to facilitate stipend payments under current terms during the transition period.
The meeting, chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, brought together officials from key unions including the Kenya National Union of Nurses & Midwives (KNUNM), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers, and the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga and Council of Governors CEO Mary Mwiti jointly signed the statement, which also confirmed that additional funding will be provided to counties before the expiry of current contracts to ensure full absorption of UHC staff into permanent and pensionable terms.
The ministry further noted that service gratuity payments will be considered once the absorption process is complete.
Meanwhile, all UHC staff currently off duty have been directed to return to work no later than 7th May 2025.