In a significant move to curb graft and streamline its healthcare system, the Ministry of Health has fired 215 staff identified as “ghost workers” or unqualified professionals following a nationwide verification exercise.

The massive headcount, a joint effort by the State Department for Medical Services and the Council of Governors (CoG), audited 7,629 staff hired under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.

The investigation revealed that 215 individuals either did not exist or lacked the necessary professional credentials.

According to a press release from Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Monday, August 25, the salaries for these individuals have been immediately stopped, and they have been removed from the government payroll.

“Following the recently concluded joint headcount exercise undertaken by the State Department for Medical Services in collaboration with the Council of Governors (CoG), verification of UHC staff is now substantially complete.

“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, and their salaries have been stoppe,d and they have been removed from the payroll pending further investigations to prosecute, determine and recover the irregular payment,” Duale stated in part.

The ministry has pledged to pursue further investigations to prosecute those responsible and recover all irregular payments.

CS Duale further expressed the government’s commitment to strengthening human resources for health as a cornerstone of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), while also underscoring a commitment to “fairness, accountability, and transparency.”

The cleanup paves the way for the absorption of 7,414 verified staff. However, the process will see them divided into two categories; only those currently in active service will be formally transitioned and absorbed into permanent positions, effective September 2025.

“Consequently, 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 continued.

Staff who are absent from duty or facing pending disciplinary issues will not be absorbed. Their cases will be handed over to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for review, which could lead to separation from service or other disciplinary actions as per the PSC Regulations 2020.

This decisive action is being hailed as a critical step in President William Ruto’s administration’s pledge to reform the health sector, manage public resources efficiently, and finally achieve quality healthcare for all Kenyans.

Further, it signals a hardline stance against the graft and payroll fraud that has long plagued public service systems.

In May 2025, Duale confirmed that UHC staff contracts would remain in force until May 2026, in line with agreements signed between the employees and County Governments.

He further noted that once the contracts expire, the workers would be converted to permanent and pensionable terms by the close of the 2026/27 financial year.

Under the arrangement, UHC staff are set to be officially absorbed by County Governments starting July 1, 2025, with counties taking over the management of their payrolls and budgets.