Francis Wambugu Irungu More than 650 health workers in Kirinyaga County are set for promotion beginning in August after the County Government allocated Sh50.5 million to implement the long-awaited exercise, bringing to an end nearly a decade of stagnation for many employees.
The promotions, together with the re-designation of 42 officers, were announced by the Chief Officer for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation, Dr. Muriithi Nyaga, during a meeting with the County Assembly Committee on Health and Sanitation chaired by Nominated MCA Hon. Bernard Gichangi.
Dr. Nyaga, who was accompanied by senior officials from the department, said the beneficiaries will include 133 nurses, 17 medical doctors, 52 clinical officers, 65 laboratory personnel, 20 pharmaceutical technologists, 58 public health officers, 29 health records and information officers, six dental technologists, and 10 physiotherapy personnel.
The exercise will also benefit 157 support staff and 23 drivers serving in the Department of Health and Public Sanitation.
According to the Chief Officer, the promotions will primarily target officers who were last promoted in 2016 and who meet the prescribed requirements, making it one of the largest staff advancement exercises undertaken by the department in recent years.
The Sh50.5 million allocation, approved in the recently passed budget, will facilitate the placement of successful officers into higher job groups starting in August, with salary changes backdated to July 2026.
During the meeting, Hon. Gichangi called on the department to submit the names of all officers earmarked for promotion, along with the criteria guiding the exercise, stressing the need for accountability and transparency.
Citing Article 183(3) of the Constitution, the committee chair said the County Assembly has an oversight role and must be furnished with all relevant information to ensure the process is fair and free from discrimination.
“We want the department to provide a detailed promotion criterion so that the exercise is conducted in the spirit of openness and transparency,” Gichangi said.
The committee chair also directed the County Public Service Board (CPSB) to consider converting 760 health workers currently serving on contract terms to permanent and pensionable employment, arguing that the move would not impose additional financial obligations on the county government.
On the welfare of casual employees nearing retirement, Gichangi urged the department to introduce pre-retirement training programmes to help them prepare for life after work and reduce the risk of mental health challenges associated with retirement.
“I want to urge the department to look into ways of organizing training for casual workers who have attained the retirement age as a way of preparing them to face the future,” he said.
Gichangi noted that the committee has consistently championed the welfare of health workers, many of whom have waited years for promotions despite meeting the necessary qualifications.
Acting Assistant Director in charge of Human Resource Development, Mr. Moses Murimi, expressed confidence that the promotions would boost staff morale and significantly improve service delivery across the county’s health facilities.
He said the long-awaited promotions would motivate employees and enhance productivity, ultimately translating into better healthcare services for residents.
