BUSIA County Government

COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS HEALTHCARE WORKERS' GRIEVANCES

The County Government of Busia has moved swiftly to address concerns raised by health care workers currently engaged in industrial action, reaffirming its commitment to improving the welfare of medical personnel and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of health services to residents.

In a communication issued by County Secretary Oscar Juma, the County Government outlined a raft of measures already undertaken and others scheduled for implementation to resolve the grievances raised by the workers.

Top among the interventions is the immediate restoration and streamlining of the medical insurance scheme for health workers to ensure members access quality health care services without interruption. Under the arrangement, officers will continue accessing treatment through the fee-for-service model within the approved scheme benefits.

The Administration of H.E, Dr Paul Nyongesa Otuoma, has also expanded access to medical services by allowing members to seek treatment from a wider network of health facilities across the country, including specialized referral services where necessary.

On the issue of pending third-party deductions, the County Treasury has already initiated a structured settlement plan as captured in the Debt Management Strategy Paper (2026/2027), which was approved by the County Assembly.

According to the County Government, the outstanding debt stood at Kshs. 928.7 million as at June 2025. Out of this amount, Kshs. 89.4 million has already been settled during the 2025/2026 financial year, while a further Kshs. 105 million is expected to be paid by June 30, 2026 through the second supplementary budget.

The remaining balance of Kshs. 734.3 million will be cleared progressively over a five-year budget cycle in line with the approved debt management framework.

Further, the County Government has confirmed that funds have already been factored into the 2026/2027 budget to facilitate payment of outstanding salary arrears affecting nurses and clinical officers beginning July 2026.

On the implementation of salary increments by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, under Phases III and IV, effective July 2024, the County noted that the adjustments were already effected from February 2026.

The administration has also committed to addressing long-standing promotion concerns among health workers. Officers who successfully underwent suitability interviews and are awaiting placement onto the payroll will receive their promotion letters effective July 1, 2026. At the same time, the Department of Health has been tasked with fast-tracking the promotion process for officers who were due for advancement in November 2024 and July 2025 through the relevant human resource and administrative channels.

In a major boost to health service delivery, the County Government has allocated Kshs. 58 million in the 2026/2027 financial year for recruitment of additional health care workers to address staffing shortages occasioned by attrition in county health facilities. County officials have reiterated that the administration remains fully committed to dialogue and constructive engagement with health workers to ensure a lasting solution to the current impasse.