Health promoters pin hope on proposed bill to address their salary demands
Kisumu senatorial aspirant Fred Odumo has said the Community Health Promoters Bill, 2026, could address some of the challenges facing community health promoters if enacted into law. Odumo said the Bill had passed the second reading in Parliament, attributing the progress to lobbying efforts he undertook with the support of Seme MP James Nyikal. He […]
Fred Odumo, a Kisumu senatorial aspirant, expressed optimism that the Community Health Promoters Bill, 2026, could tackle some of the hurdles faced by community health promoters should it become law. Odumo revealed that the Bill had moved past the second reading in Parliament, attributing the advancement to his lobbying efforts alongside Seme MP James Nyikal.
During a gathering with over 140 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and Community Unit officials from Seme Constituency, held at the Seme CDF offices on August 8, 2026, Odumo highlighted the potential of the proposed legislation to regularize the irregular payment of CHPs by county governments. He stated that legalizing these payments would provide a more consistent basis for compensating the health promoters.
"The inconsistency in how the county has been paying you sporadically will now be anchored into law and standardized," Odumo asserted.
Community Health Promoters have become crucial in delivering preventive and basic healthcare services at the household level, encompassing health education, referrals, and disease surveillance. Odumo emphasized the need for the government and county authorities to bolster the community health workforce by supplying adequate equipment and support.
He argued that a robust network of CHPs could aid in the early detection of health issues, enhance disease surveillance, and contribute to reducing preventable maternal and child deaths. The meeting served as a platform for health promoters to voice their concerns regarding their working conditions and welfare. Bernard Okello, a CHP from Seme, expressed his enthusiasm about the Bill's progress, stating that he eagerly anticipated the proposed changes to translate into tangible improvements in their work.
Charles Otieno, another CHP, commended Odumo for his engagement with the health promoters, expressing confidence that he would effectively lead them. Seme Sub-County CHPs chairperson Esther Juma described the town hall meeting as a valuable opportunity for health promoters to present their concerns directly to a political aspirant.
She also welcomed Odumo's pledge to provide the group with a 100-seater tent, highlighting how it could enable the CHPs to engage in an economic activity to supplement their income. Juma expressed her conviction that Odumo would support them in overcoming the challenges that had previously impacted their work.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
