Busia County Public Service Board Promotes 588 Health Workers After 8-Year Wait

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We have signed recognition agreements with lab technicians and nutritionists, paid arrears, gazetted hospital management committees

The Busia County Public Service Board has concluded an 8-year wait by promoting 588 health staff members to enhance service delivery and boost staff morale.

During a ceremony at the Busia Agricultural Training Centre, attended by Deputy Governor Arthur Odera and union officials, Board Chairperson Michael Onyura acknowledged that the promotions had been delayed due to budgetary constraints, estimated at Kshs. 150 million. He stated, “The promotions clear a significant backlog and address employee stagnation.”

Mr. Onyura emphasized the Board’s commitment to addressing historical injustices within the health department, noting that the promotions will eventually extend to other sectors. “We have just begun with the Health department, but the same will be cascaded to other dockets,” he said.

The first phase of promotions includes 588 caregivers from a list of 839 provided by the Public Service Management Department. Mr. Onyura noted, “About 150 will undergo suitability interviews as per HR requirements before confirmation, less than 10 have reached their limit for promotion, and the remaining will join once they submit required documentation.” He was accompanied by Board CEO Mrs. Truphena Akide.

Expressing gratitude to county leadership and union officials for their support, Mr. Onyura added, “The board has put in place mechanisms to ensure the seamless promotion of officers who are due. We are also focusing on staff development, training, and welfare, as salary alone is not the sole motivation factor in public service.”

Deputy Governor Odera, who also serves as the County Executive for Health and Sanitation, assured that under Governor Paul Otuoma’s leadership, the county would provide a conducive working environment through adequate equipment and supplies. “We have signed recognition agreements with lab technicians and nutritionists, paid arrears, gazetted hospital management committees, progressed the FIF Bill for facility-level revenue generation, and improved the supply of commodities,” he said.

He continued, “We plan to roll out a medical interns program, incorporate Artificial Intelligence in preventive and promotive initiatives, and partner with an organization to establish a Medical and Behavioral Research Centre in Busia.”

The Deputy Governor challenged the newly promoted staff to enhance their efforts in service delivery. “I am aware of indiscipline issues within our facilities, such as absenteeism and negligence. Moving forward, we will not tolerate such behaviors but instead foster a culture of openness and transparency,” he warned.

To ensure objective performance measurement and staff appraisal, performance contracting will be introduced. “We are introducing performance contracting to ensure we have an objective system of measuring performance and appraising staff for purposes of service delivery.”

The event was also attended by Acting County Secretary and Head of Public Service Oscar Juma, County Executive Committee Member for Public Service Management Pamella Awori, Chief Officers Susan Outa (Public Health and Sanitation), Wilberforce Lusamba (Public Health), and Patricia Okello (Public Service Management), along with Director of Public Health Dr. David Mukabi, and union officials from Kenya Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KUMLO), Kenya National Union of Nutritionist and Dieticians (KUNAD), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), and Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).

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