Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka…Photo/Courtesy 

By IP Reporter

BUNGOMA, Kenya (IP)

More than 500 health workers employed on contract by the county government in January 2025 are appealing to the Senate for intervention, citing low pay, unpaid allowances and delayed confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms that they say have left their families in financial distress.

The workers include 100 nurses, 60 clinical officers, 20 laboratory technologists, 30 pharmaceutical technologists and seven doctors, according to documents and interviews. All cadres earn a flat Sh20,000 monthly, except doctors who earn Sh50,000.

Despite serving for over a year, the workers say they have never received allowances, making it difficult to meet basic expenses such as rent, school fees and transport.

“We are providing essential services every day, but our families are suffering,” said one nurse, who requested anonymity for fear of victimization. “We fear that speaking openly could cost us our jobs.”

Several workers said they have avoided formal complaints, citing what they describe as an environment of intimidation and contract insecurity.

“We are asking the Senate to interrogate our situation the same way it has handled other labor issues,” said a clinical officer. “We want confirmation and payment of allowances to bring relief to our families.”

Civil society leaders say the grievances point to broader governance and labor management problems within the county.

“You cannot build a functioning health system on fear and underpaid labor,” said a Bungoma-based civil society leader. “Contract workers are the backbone of public hospitals, yet they are treated as expendable.”

Some Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have privately expressed concern that the issue is escalating.

“This is no longer just a human resource problem,” said one MCA who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It is turning into a political and accountability issue.”

The health workers’ appeal comes as the county government faces intensifying scrutiny from the Senate over unpaid gratuity owed to retired county workers, a matter lawmakers say exposes deep financial management failures.

Senate records show the county owes more than Sh500 million in unpaid gratuity, with senators recently faulting officials for delayed payments spanning several financial years.

Senator David Wakoli has publicly questioned why statutory obligations to retirees remain unmet even as new contracts are issued, warning that labor liabilities are being rolled forward without resolution.

A politician affiliated with the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), who requested anonymity, said the unfolding situation could carry political consequences.

“When health workers see pensioners being ignored, it sends a chilling message,” the politician said. “The Senate spotlight is already on the county — this only widens it.”

Public records, Senate proceedings and online discussions by labor groups indicate rising pressure across multiple sectors, including health, public works and retired staff.

The health workers are now urging the governor to authorize payment of allowances and fast-track their confirmation.

“We are not asking for luxury,” said a laboratory technologist. “We are asking for fairness.”

Efforts to obtain a response from the county government were unsuccessful. Calls  to the County Executive Committee Member for Health were not returned by the time of publication.