Ruto orders permanent, pensionable jobs for 7,500 UHC workers
By Cynthia Lodite, September 5, 2025President William Ruto has demanded an absorption of Universal Health Care (UHC) workers into permanent and pensionable positions following a heated wrangle with the county governments.
Ruto issued out the directive on Wednesday, September 4, 2025, at the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa, where he was presiding over an event at the facility.
On his part, the Head of State acknowledged the frustrations that at least 7500 UHC workers had been through while pushing for employment after their key role during the COVID-19pandemic.
“Nachukua nafasi hii kutangaza yakwamba tumekua na wafanyi kazi kwa sector ya afya wale ambao walitusaidia wakati wa COVID-19, wale wa UHC wafanyikazi zaidi ya elfu saba na mia tano. Hao wafanyi kazi wamehangaika kiasi,” Ruto said.
Ruto went ahead and announced that all the 7500 UHC workers will now be moved from contractual terms and employed in permanent and pensionable positions.
“Lakini mimi nimetangaza ya kua sasa hao wafanyikazi tunataka kuwatoa katika utendakazi wa kandarasi tuwafanye permanent and pensionable,” Ruto said.
UHC workers’ pay increase
Likewise, Ruto further assured the UHC workers that his government has already allocated funds to finance the employment.
“Tayari serikali kuu tumetoa pesa ya kuajiri hao wafanyikazi,” Ruto added.
On the other hand, Ruto called on county governors to ensure that all UHC workers are paid starting from September according to the guidelines by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
In addition, Ruto revealed that the UHC workers will now have an increase in their salaries going forward while admitting that indeed the government has the money and resources to fund UHC workers.
“Mimi nataka niulize Counties, ndugu zangu county governments hao wafanyikazi kuanzia mwezi huu wa tisa tutawalipa pesa zaidi katika ile taratibu tumepatiwa SRC ili tuwatoes pale kwa malipo madogo tuwaongeze pesa zao na tuwaweke katika mpango wa permanent and pensionable because we have the resources and money to do it,” Ruto affirmed.
UHC clash with Governors
Meanwhile Ruto’s directive follow a key meeting by the Council of Governors adressing the UHC workers concerns.
Speaking through a statement on Monday, September 1, 2025, the governors expressed concern over recent developments by the Ministry of Health regarding UHC staff, describing them as a deliberate attempt to undermine county governments.
They accused the Ministry of Health of misrepresenting counties as obstructing the absorption of staff, a process that falls under devolved functions.
“The Ministry cannot alter the contracts of the UHC staff without the involvement of County Governments,” said Council Chairman H.E. FCPA Ahmed Abdullahi.
He added, “Counties are amenable to employing the verified UHC staff once resources are duly provided and previous obligations settled by the National Government.”