Wamae’s rejection makes her the second notable person to turn down Ruto’s job offer
Roots Party Leader George Luchiri Wajackoyah’s 2022 presidential running mate Justina Wamae on Monday, July 8 turned down her appointment by President William Ruto as part of a 20-member task force to address human resources for health in the country.
In a statement on her social media platforms, Wamae thanked the Head of State for recognising her capability to serve in the task force, whose formation was deemed necessary to formulate comprehensive strategies and policies to enhance the health care services in the country.
However, she explained that she was unable to take up the offer as she was on maternity leave which prevented her from working to the best of her abilities in the task force.
Roots Party running mate Justina Wamae during the deputy presidential debate on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. /PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES SERIES
“Thank you Mr President William Samoei Ruto for recognising my strength, capacity and ability and subsequently appointing me to serve in the Presidential Taskforce on addressing Human Resources for Health via Gazette Notice No. 8437 Executive Order No. 5 of 2024 dated July 5, 2024,” she wrote.
“However, 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.”
While explaining the creation of the task force, the President also noted a need to assess and address current challenges and gaps in the recruitment, replacement, training and retention of healthcare professionals.
Khama Rogo was appointed as the Chairperson of the task force and Judith Guserwa the Vice Chairperson.
Alongside Wamae, also named included familiar personalities such as Acting Ministry of Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth and Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dennis Miskellah.
Other members appointed to the task force were Dr John Masasabi, Dr Toseef Din, Dr Wilson Aruasa, Doreen Rhoda Kanyua, Prof. Francis Wafula, Dr Habiba Mohamed, Lucy Mburu and Collins Kiprono,
Others included Victor Miseda, Christine Okoth, Carolyne Mage, Jacinta Rwamba, Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe, Dr. Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, and Benard Ondeng Otieno Choi.
President Ruto, in the gazette notice dated July 5, 2024, also named two joint secretaries to the task force, namely; Dr. Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo, and Morris Kaburu. Dr. Hezron Omollo and Vivienne M. Eyase were further named to the Secretariat.
“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,” read the notice in part. It will report to the President and the Ministry of Health.
The task force shall be tasked with, among other things, identifying the legal, policy, administrative and operational constraints impeding the performance of the health sector in Kenya concerning human resources for health.
Their terms of reference also include reviewing the performance of Human Resources for Health (HRH) in Kenya and recommending improvements, as well as advising 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.
Wamae’s rejection makes her the second notable person to turn down Ruto’s job offer after Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, who declined her appointment to the Presidential taskforce which will carry out a forensic audit of the country’s public debt, with LSK terming the taskforce itself unconstitutional.
