Roots Party Leader George Luchiri Wajackoyah’s 2022 presidential running mate Justina Wamae has landed a state appointment.
President William Ruto in a Gazette notice number 8437 dated July 5, 2024, appointed Wamae to an 18-member taskforce that he has established.
According to the gazette notice, President Ruto has established the presidential taskforce on addressing human resources for health.
Justina Wamae and her team will serve for a period of six months.
“The term of the Presidential Taskforce shall be a period of six (6) months with effect from the date hereof, or for such a period as may be specified by notice in the Kenya Gazette,” an excerpt from the gazette notice reads.
President Ruto says the establishment of the Taskforce on Human Resource for Health is deemed necessary to formulate comprehensive strategies and policies to enhance the healthcare workforce.
Taskforce members
The taskforce will be chaired by Khama Rogo, who will be deputized by Judith Guserwa.
Acting Ministry of Health Director General Patrick Amoth and Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah have also been appointed to the taskforce.
Others are John Masasabi, Toseef Din, Wilson Aruasa, Doreen Rhoda Kanyua, Francis Wafula, Habiba Mohamed, Lucy Mburu, Collins Kiprono, and Victor Miseda.
Also appointed to the presidential taskforce on human resources for health are Christine Okoth, Carolyne Mage, Jacinta Rwamba, Kanyenje Gakombe, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, and Benard Ondeng Otieno Choi.
Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo and Morris Kaburu have been named as joint secretaries to the taskforce, with Hezron Omollo and Vivienne M. Eyase joining the secretariat of the taskforce.
Terms of reference
Their terms of reference shall be to identify the Legal, Policy, Administrative and Operational constraints impeding performance of the Health Sector in Kenya with regards to Human Resources for Health.
They will also be tasked with identifying and recommending legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational Human Resources for Health Reforms in Kenya.
They will also review performance of Human Resources for Health (HRH) in Kenya and recommend improvements, as well as advising and recommending the legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational framework for the management of human resources for health without undermining devolution.
Other terms of reference includes to review and advise on harmonization of the terms of employment for all healthcare workers in the spirit of equal work for equal pay, advise and recommend on the legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational framework for the prioritization of employment of 20,000 healthcare workers- doctors, nurses, clinical officers, laboratory technologists, physiotherapists, among others, to bridge the gap according to WHO recommendations of 23 HC per 10,000 population.
The taskforce shall also review and recommend on any other matter incidental to improvements in Strategic Human Resources for Health Management and other reforms in the Kenyan Health System.
The Secretariat of the Taskforce shall be domiciled at the Ministry of Health.