Following the resolutions of the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to conclude the Petition on Unfair Terms and Conditions for Universal Health Coverage ( UHC) Staff and Delay in Internship Posting on its sitting held on 11th July 2023, the Committee today held a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Susan Nakhumicha, Council of Governors Chairperson for Health Committee, H.E. Johnson Sakaja and the Petitioners of the said Petition to chart a way forward on the issues of concern.

The CS Ministry of Health informed the Sen. Julius Murgor led Committee that her Ministry in Consultation with the Public Service Commission has renewed the UHC Staff contracts as they look at the options and strategies for the ultimate transitioning of the UHC staff employment conditions to permanent and pensionable terms.

Concerning the delay in internship posting, the Cabinet Secretary stated that while the Ministry recognizes and appreciates the role interns play in health service delivery in most level 4,5 and 6 facilities, it is important to note that the number of Universities training healthcare workers has increased significantly over a period, but the personnel emoluments budget for the Ministry has not increased in tandem to cater for the increasing number of graduate healthcare workers. She however pledged to continue seeking for increased budgetary support to cater for the increasing need.

Governor Johnson Sakaja representing the Council of Governors reiterated that the contracts of the UHC staff have been renewed as they wait to absorb them into permanent and pensionable jobs when vacancies arise in the Counties. The Council however requested that the contracts be reviewed to align with the prevailing market rates.

To conclude, the Council urged National Government to provide conditional grants to County Governments for extension of contracts at the market rate salaries for staff managing this program and transfer the management of UHC staff payroll to the County Governments.

Members of the Committee present were; Sen. George Mbugua, Sen. Miraj Abdulrahman, Sen, Alexander Mundigi, Sen. Samson Cherarkey and Sen. Karungo Thangwa.