Ministry of Health clears 7,414 UHC workers for government payroll as 215 ghost staff removed
Out of the 7,629 staff verified, 215 did not present themselves, having been identified as either non-existent (ghost workers) or not qualified health professionals.
Over 7,400 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff have been cleared for formal absorption into the government payroll from September, following a nationwide verification exercise that identified and removed ghost workers and unqualified personnel.
In a statement on Monday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the joint headcount exercise conducted by the State Department for Medical Services in collaboration with the Council of Governors (CoG) saw 7,629 staff verified across the country.
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However, out of the 7,629 staff verified, 215 did not present themselves, having been identified as either non-existent (ghost workers) or not qualified health professionals.
Duale said their salaries have been stopped and they have been removed from the payroll pending further investigations to prosecute, determine and recover the irregular payment.
He added that the remaining 7,414 staff will be categorised into two groups: those currently in active service and those with pending disciplinary issues.
“Staff in active service will be formally transitioned and absorbed with effect from September 2025,” he said.
He warned that UHC staff members who are absent from duty or facing disciplinary proceedings will not be absorbed.
“Such cases will be reviewed in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC), in line with PSC Regulations 2020 on Human Resource, which provides for separation, removal from the payroll, and other disciplinary measures,” Duale said.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the CoG, PSC, and other stakeholders, said it remains steadfast in ensuring fairness, accountability, and transparency in the absorption process while safeguarding the rights of eligible officers.
“This process underscores our unwavering commitment to reforms in the health sector, efficient management of public resources, and realisation of the government’s pledge to achieve Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans,” Duale added.
“The Government remains committed to strengthening human resources for health as a cornerstone of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and delivering quality health services to all Kenyans.”
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