CS Duale: 7,414 UHC Medics to Be Absorbed on Permanent and Pensionable Terms from September 2025

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that 7,414 health workers serving under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms effective September 2025.

Duale said the long awaited decision will secure the future of thousands of doctors, nurses, and clinical officers who have been working on contractual terms under the UHC initiative.

“This government is committed to ensuring job security for our healthcare workers. Beginning September  2025, all qualified UHC staff will transition to permanent and pensionable terms,” he stated.

However, the CS emphasized that not all medics will benefit from the scheme. Those with pending disciplinary issues will be excluded from the absorption until their cases are fully addressed.

The announcement comes at a time when health worker unions and professional associations have been calling on the government to regularize the terms of service for medics, citing job insecurity, delayed pay, and poor working conditions under short-term contracts.

The absorption is expected to boost morale among frontline healthcare providers, especially as Kenya continues to implement the Universal Health Coverage pillar under President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). UHC aims to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all Kenyans without financial hardship.

Healthcare analysts say the move will not only enhance staff motivation but also strengthen service delivery in public health facilities, particularly in counties where hospitals face frequent staff shortages.

The government has assured the public that measures are being put in place to ensure a smooth transition process and that county governments will work closely with the Ministry of Health to avoid disruptions in service delivery.

Reporting by: Babz Abdul Raheem N.
Date: August 26, 2025