Win For Doctors As Gov’t Set To Clear Salary Arrears In Two Years

By Moses Muli

Published: June 6,2024 6:08 PM

The government has reviewed the terms of an agreement made with medics last month during the signing of the return-to-work formula following a protracted strike.

State House Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei noted that the May 8th agreement – among other things – stated that the government would settle basic salary arrears accrued by counties amounting to Ksh.3.5 billion.

According to Koskei, the agreement also noted that these salary arrears accrued by doctors employed by county governments as of June 30, 2024, shall be settled over a period of five years, starting from July 1, 2024.

However, the Head of Public Service now says President William Ruto has directed the ministries of Health and Treasury to ensure the payment of the doctors’ arrears is concluded in two years, instead of the initially agreed period of five years.

Koskei, in a letter addressed to the two ministries dated May 29th, said the move will see the Treasury disburse Ksh.1.75 billion annually, starting from July this year, to county governments to help them settle the basic salary accrued from the implementation of the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“The President has considered the proposal as codified in the Return-to-Work Formula and in recognition of the unique role of medical personnel as vanguards of the nation’s health system, and directed that the settlement of the basic salary arrears accrued by doctors employed by county governments be concluded within two years, with effect from 1st July 2024,” stated Koskei.

“The President has directed the Ministry of Health, jointly with the National Treasury & Economic Planning, to facilitate the settlement of the basic salary arrears by allocating Ksh.1.75 billion annually, starting from July 1, 2024, as conditional grants to county governments.”

Koskei noted that the Head of State underscored the critical role of medics in the country and the need to ensure they were properly compensated.