Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has declined the appointment offered by President William Ruto to the Human Resources for Health taskforce.
Sharing on her X account on July 8, 2024, Justina thanked the president for the offer but noted that she was on maternity leave and that the new role would hinder her ability to work efficiently.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to decline your offer given that I’m currently on maternity leave and this development would affect my ability to work effectively at this time,” Justina noted.
In addition, Justina thanked the President for his consideration and the opportunity accorded to her to serve.
“Thank you Mr President William Samoei Ruto for recognizing my strength, capacity, and ability and subsequently appointing me to serve in the presidential task force on addressing human resources for health vide gazette notice NO. 8437,” Justina wrote.
Justina was among the 18-member task force, which included a few familiar names such as Acting Ministry of Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth among others.
Thank you Mr President William Samoei Ruto for recognising my strength, capacity, ability and subsequently appointing me to serve in the PRESIDENTIAL TASKFORCE ON ADDRESSING HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH vide GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8437
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 5 OF 2024 dated 5th July,…— JUSTINA WAMAE (@justinawamae) July 8, 2024
President Ruto Appoints Health Taskforce
As per executive order No. 5 of 2024, dated July 5, 2024, President William Ruto established a task force to address human resources for health under the chairmanship of Prof Khama Rogo with Judith Guserwa as vice chairperson.
Further, President Ruto established the task force to devise comprehensive strategies and policies to improve the workforce in the healthcare sector.
The 18-member task force included acting Ministry of Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Deputy Secretary General Dr Dennis Miskellah and Wamae.
The task force was given the role of identifying the legal, policy, administrative, and operational obstacles impeding the performance of Kenya’s health sector in terms of human resources.
Terms of reference
The Secretariat of the Taskforce which would be domiciled at the Ministry of Health, among their terms of reference included reviewing the performance of Human Resources for Health (HRH) in Kenya and recommending improvements.
Secondly, they were tasked to advise on the framework of employment of 20,000 healthcare workers to bridge the gap according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of 23 medical personnel per 10,000 people.
Additionally, the task force would be scheduled to serve for six months.
“The term of the Presidential Taskforce shall be a period of six months with effect from the date hereof, or for such a period as may be specified by notice in the Kenya Gazette,” the gazette notice read in part.