Community health promoters in Nyandarua County have halted their work, accusing the county government of failing to pay their salaries for the past eight months. The health workers, who play a crucial role in providing primary healthcare services to local communities, have expressed frustration and anger over the prolonged delay in receiving their payments.
“The County Government of Nyandarua has failed us,” said one of the health promoters. “We were working with the national government and we used to be paid through the bank without any deductions, but the County Government has not paid us since November.”
Nyandarua County Governor Kiarie Badilisha launched the Health Army—a group of 1,390 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) responsible for basic health issues at the level one management stage—in October 2023.
The health workers are demanding their dues, stating that the delay is unjustifiable because the county is allegedly holding their money. “When the budget is done, it means the money is there so that operations can run,” the health promoter continued. “We are wondering why they are telling us that there is no money. We are demanding our eight months’ pay; it is our right because the work that we do cannot be paid by any amount. That small money they are paying us helps us reduce our challenges.”
According to their contract, the national government is supposed to pay each health promoter Ksh. 2,500, with an additional Ksh. 2,500 from the county government, totaling Ksh. 5,000 as a stipend. “It is not a salary, it is a stipend,” the health promoter clarified.
The protests in Nyandarua are part of a broader wave of dissatisfaction across the country, with various groups demonstrating against a range of issues, including calls for the resignation of President William Ruto. The community health workers’ strike adds to the growing unrest, highlighting the financial and operational challenges faced by many counties in managing essential services.
Governor Moses Badilisha of Nyandarua County has yet to address the specific concerns raised by the health promoters. The delay in payment has not only affected the livelihoods of these workers but also the delivery of critical healthcare services to the community.
As the protests continue, the health promoters remain steadfast in their demands, calling on the county government to honor its commitments and ensure the timely disbursement of their stipends.
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