UHC staff turn heat on CoG Chair Muthomi Njuki, demand impeachment
In a strongly worded response, the UHC workers described Njuki’s comments as “reckless and insensitive”, accusing the Tharaka Nithi County governor of undermining their contributions to health service delivery.
Tensions have escalated between Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers and the Council of Governors (CoG) after Chairperson Muthomi Njuki said the transfer of 7,414 UHC staff to county governments was premature due to unsettled gratuity payments, unvalidated staff verification reports, and a lack of adequate funding.
In a strongly worded response, the UHC workers described Njuki’s comments as “reckless and insensitive”, accusing the Tharaka Nithi governor of undermining their contributions to health service delivery.
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They demanded that he issue a public apology and called on members of the Tharaka Nithi County Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor for what they termed gross misconduct and mismanagement.
"We categorically distance ourselves from the reckless, insensitive, and misleading remarks made by the Chairperson of the Council of Governors, Governor Muthomi Njuki. His statements are an insult to the sacrifices of healthcare workers and do not reflect the reality in our counties," the UHC workers said in a statement.
Adding, "It is regrettable that under his leadership, nepotism, corruption, and mismanagement of healthcare workers have persisted. We demand a public apology from him and call on members of the Tharaka Nithi County Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings for gross misconduct and mismanagement.”
The workers further urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to reopen and investigate corruption cases allegedly linked to Njuki’s tenure since 2020. They accused his leadership of perpetuating nepotism, corruption, and mismanagement within county health systems, saying such practices have jeopardised service delivery.
At the heart of the standoff is the Ministry of Health’s announcement that the 7,414 UHC staff would be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms beginning September 2025. President William Ruto and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale have already allocated Sh6.2 billion for the exercise, with the Ministry reiterating that verified staff will be confirmed into the new terms.
The workers welcomed the Ministry’s move, describing it as a step that restores dignity and hope for thousands who have served under uncertain contract terms. They, however, warned that Njuki’s position threatens to derail the transition and create unnecessary tension between health workers and counties.
Beyond defending their absorption, the UHC healthcare workers have called for urgent healthcare reforms, including the creation of a Health Service Commission (HSC) to independently manage human resources and legislation to revert health services to national government oversight. They cited repeated county-level failures in staffing, equipment, and drug supply as key obstacles to effective healthcare delivery.
The UHC staff also renewed calls for sweeping reforms in Kenya’s health sector, proposing the establishment of a Health Service Commission (HSC) to oversee health human resources independently. They urged Parliament to consider reverting health services to the national government, citing persistent county-level failures in staffing, equipment, and drug supply.
“To safeguard the future of healthcare in Kenya, we strongly recommend the establishment of a Health Service Commission to independently manage health human resources, including recruitment, promotions, and welfare, free from political interference. We also call for the introduction of a Bill to revert health services to the National Government, just as education and police services are managed," they said."Counties have consistently failed to equip facilities with essential drugs, equipment, and adequate personnel, thereby crippling service delivery."
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