“How Can Health Workers Survive Unpaid for Six Months?”: Senate Sounds Alarm on Machakos Health Sector

The Senate Committee on Health has raised serious concerns over severe mismanagement in Machakos County’s health sector. Senators pointed to unpaid staff, crumbling infrastructure, and financial irregularities. They warned that these issues threaten service delivery and could bring the county’s healthcare system to a standstill.

During a visit to Athi River Level 4 and Mwala Level 4 hospitals, the committee discovered that some health workers had not received salaries for up to six months. Staff broke down in tears, pleading for urgent intervention. Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda asked, “How can you have your health workers not paid for six months, yet they are still working?”

Senator Richard Onyonka noted that unpaid salaries could affect service quality and patient care. “We must tell the governor to fix this. We cannot have good facilities run without salaries,” he said. Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli added that the county government must be held accountable immediately.

The inspection also uncovered serious infrastructure gaps. At Athi River Level 4 Hospital, there was no running water, exposing patients to infections and poor hygiene. Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu emphasized urgency: “The water issue must be fixed so that we don’t expose patients to other diseases.”

Nominated Senator Mariam Omar criticized the county government for focusing on referral hospitals while neglecting smaller facilities. She said the imbalance has left many hospitals struggling to provide basic services. “So far, we have seen many challenges but efforts are only on referral hospitals, and county hospitals have been neglected,” she said.

The senators promised to present their findings to Governor Wavinya Ndeti, urging swift corrective action. They stressed that delayed salaries, infrastructure failures and administrative lapses could cripple the health sector and erode public trust.

The committee’s tour exposed systemic problems across the county. Health workers are demoralized. Patients face increased risks. Senators urged urgent reforms, proper funding and accountability measures. They warned that without immediate intervention, Machakos County’s health sector could deteriorate further, leaving communities vulnerable and essential medical services in jeopardy.