Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Isiolo County have suspended their services following prolonged delays in the payment of their allowances by the county government. The workers, who form a crucial link between local communities and health facilities, say they have not received their county-issued allowances for the past two years, despite continuing to serve in their roles.
A total of 790 CHPs have been affected, and many express frustration that their repeated appeals to county officials have gone unanswered. While they have been receiving stipends from the national government, they maintain that these payments are insufficient to sustain them, particularly given the rising cost of living.
Representatives of the group stressed that their commitment to public health should not be mistaken for an acceptance of poor treatment. They pointed out that their work which includes health education, disease prevention, home visits, and mobilising communities for medical interventions is essential in achieving public health goals. Yet, they feel undervalued and ignored by the very authorities they serve.
The CHPs have now declared that they will stop submitting reports to the county health department until their outstanding dues are cleared. According to them, this step is intended to send a clear signal that their work cannot continue to be taken for granted. They warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could escalate into full-scale public demonstrations.
Several members voiced concerns that the prolonged non-payment not only affects their livelihoods but also undermines the delivery of essential healthcare services at the grassroots level. They cautioned that the breakdown in trust between the CHPs and the county administration could have long-term effects on community health outcomes, particularly in remote areas where CHPs are often the only accessible health link.
The workers are calling on the county leadership to treat the matter with urgency, saying that the delay in allowances reflects poorly on how frontline health workers are valued and supported. They emphasised that without timely payment and respect for their role, community-based healthcare in Isiolo is at risk of grinding to a halt.
Their message is clear: if the county government does not act swiftly, the health of the community and the trust that underpins it may suffer irreparable harm
