Machogu condemns Kisii County over unpaid nurses, health promoters and janitors

Kisii gubernatorial hopeful Dr Ezekiel Machogu has criticised Governor Simba Arati’s administration over delayed salaries for community health promoters, janitors and other county workers, saying the county has neglected frontline employees while healthcare services continue to suffer amid an ongoing nurses’ strike.

In a statement on Monday, Machogu described the situation as “deeply shameful,” arguing that workers who play a vital role in healthcare and sanitation had gone for months without receiving their wages.

“It is unacceptable that men and women who wake up every day to serve our people are being rewarded with endless promises instead of salaries. A government that cannot pay its workers on time has failed in one of its most basic responsibilities,” he said.

The former Education Cabinet Secretary singled out community health promoters, saying they had continued serving households across the county despite allegedly going for months without pay.

“These are the people who visit our homes, educate families on disease prevention, monitor expectant mothers and children, and respond during health emergencies. Yet they have been abandoned by the very administration they serve. It is heartbreaking and deeply shameful,” he said.

Machogu said the salary delays had compounded challenges facing the county’s health sector at a time when nurses were on strike over unresolved grievances, leaving many residents without essential healthcare services.

“Our health system is under immense pressure. Community Health Promoters have gone for months without pay, nurses are on strike, and patients are bearing the greatest burden. This should be the county’s top priority,” he said.

He also raised concerns over delayed payments to janitors and cleaning groups, claiming some had reportedly gone for more than six months without salaries despite maintaining cleanliness in public facilities and within Kisii town.

“Our janitors deserve dignity, not neglect. They cannot continue cleaning our hospitals, offices and markets on empty stomachs while county leaders remain silent. Their sweat deserves timely compensation,” he said.

Machogu further claimed that previous cleaning teams had maintained cleanliness in the town without intimidating traders, in an apparent swipe at the county’s current Green Army programme.

“It is worrying that the cleaning groups working in our town are reportedly owed more than six months’ pay in arrears. They cleaned the town well without intimidating traders, unlike the goons we have currently,” he alleged.

He questioned the county government’s priorities, arguing that it should first address salary arrears and the ongoing nurses’ strike before launching new programmes.

“My question is simple: What should come first? Strengthening healthcare, resolving the nurses’ strike and paying workers who are already serving the people, or launching new programmes before meeting existing obligations?” he asked.

Machogu urged the county government to immediately clear outstanding salary arrears, resolve the issues that triggered the nurses’ strike and prioritise the welfare of county employees.

He pledged that, if elected governor in 2027, prompt payment of salaries and improved welfare for county workers would be among the key priorities of his administration.

“I want to assure every county employee that no one should have to beg for a salary they have already earned. We must restore dignity to public service by paying workers on time and treating them with the respect they deserve,” he said.

Machogu added that while young people deserved employment opportunities, such initiatives should not become platforms for political intimidation or division.

“Our young people deserve meaningful employment opportunities, not programmes that risk fostering political division, intimidation and radicalisation. Good leadership is about priorities, accountability and putting the welfare of the people first,” he said.

The Kisii County Government had not publicly responded to Machogu’s allegations by the time of publication.