Over 4,500 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Kiambu County are raising concerns over delayed stipend payments that have now stretched for more than six months, with accusations of broken promises and growing frustration over the management of the county health workforce.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has drawn attention to the matter, stating that the workers have not received their monthly stipends of Sh5,000 since November last year. The stipend arrangement, which is jointly funded on a 50:50 basis between the national and county governments, is meant to support grassroots health workers who play a key role in delivering primary healthcare services.
According to Wamuchomba, the national government has already remitted its share of the payments, leaving the county government responsible for clearing the outstanding arrears owed to the CHPs.
She claims that each of the 4,500 community health promoters is owed Sh2,500 per month for a period of seven months, translating to an estimated backlog of more than Sh40 million.
The MP further alleges that despite repeated assurances from the county leadership, the payments have not been effected, leaving the workers in financial distress as they continue to serve communities across the county.
The issue resurfaced during a recent AMREF-supported registry launch, where the county leadership reportedly assured CHPs that their integration into the Social Health Authority (SHA) system would be fast-tracked. However, Wamuchomba says the promise has not yet been fulfilled.
Concerns have also been raised over inconsistencies in official records regarding the actual number of CHPs in Kiambu. While some data indicates there are about 4,500 workers, other figures reportedly suggest a lower number of around 3,070, raising questions about data accuracy and payroll management.
The MP also criticized the county’s spending priorities, alleging that significant funds are directed toward social programmes and public handouts while the health sector continues to face operational challenges.
She further pointed to several newly constructed health facilities that, according to her, remain closed or underutilized despite being completed. Among those mentioned is the Kahawa Sukari Health Facility, which she claims is yet to be fully operational, forcing residents to travel long distances in search of medical services.
The situation has sparked renewed debate over service delivery in the county’s health sector, with calls for greater accountability in the management of health workers and public resources.
County leadership is yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
 in Kiambu County are raising concerns over delayed stipend payments that have now stretched for more than six months, with accusations of broken promises and growing frustration over the management of the county health workforce.){kind=link}