Unpaid staff, hospitals without water: Senators expose crisis in Machakos health sector

The committee revealed that some of the staff have not been paid for up to six months.

During an inspection tour of Athi River Level 4 and Mwala Level 4 hospitals, senators established that the Machakos County Government has not paid some health workers for a period of up to six months. The affected staff broke down in tears before the committee, pleading for intervention.

“How can you have your health workers not paid for six months, yet they are still working?” posed Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka warned that delayed salaries could cripple service delivery, especially in the critical health sector.

“We must tell the governor to fix this. We cannot have good facilities run without salaries,” said Senator Onyonka.

Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli added: “We must call the county government to order.”

At the Athi River Level 4 Hospital, the committee also found that the facility lacks water.

Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu said, “At the Athi River Hospital, we are also not happy as a committee. The water issue must be fixed so that we don’t expose patients to other diseases.”

Nominated Senator Mariam Omar noted, “So far we have seen many challenges, but efforts are only on referral hospitals, and county hospitals have been neglected.”