By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking during the auditions in Embu town, Safaricom Marketing Officer Nicholas Gachiri said the initiative is aimed at providing young people with a platform to showcase their abilities and get opportunities to develop their talents.

Gachiri said Safaricom will take the auditions to different regions as part of a nationwide talent search targeting young people gifted in singing and dancing.

He said the company wants to discover talented young people and give them an opportunity to grow their skills and pursue careers in the creative industry. “We want to discover talents and give young people an opportunity to showcase what they can do,” Gachiri said.

He said the auditions are open to talented youths who have the passion and ability to entertain, adding that the programme will continue visiting different parts of the country in search of emerging talents.

Safaricom Hook vocal coach Hellen Mtawali urged young people to take their talents seriously and use them as a means of improving their lives.

Mtawali encouraged the youth to take advantage of platforms such as Safaricom Hook to showcase their abilities, build their confidence and pursue opportunities in the creative industry.

She said talent, when properly nurtured and developed, can provide young people with opportunities to earn a living and build sustainable careers.

The auditions brought together aspiring singers and dancers who showcased their abilities as they sought an opportunity to be identified and supported through the Safaricom Hook talent platform.

By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

The development, which comprises 166 housing units, includes social housing units with one- and two-roomed houses, as well as affordable units featuring one- and two-bedroom apartments.

The project is expected to provide residents with access to decent and affordable housing, while creating employment and stimulating economic activity in Kitui town.

Speaking to the press during a site visit by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders, the project's site manager, David Malai, said construction was progressing well and that the project would be completed before the end of the year.

Malai said supporting infrastructure, including a power house, garbage collection facilities and an underground water tank, was also being put in place to support the housing development.“At the moment, this building has reached 75 per cent completion and we are hopeful that by the end of this year we will have completed it. The other amenities needed to support the project are also ready,” Malai said.

The UDA leaders, led by Kitui South MP Rachel Kaki Nyamai, urged residents to support Government development programmes and take advantage of projects being implemented in the county.

Dr Nyamai said the National Government had not forgotten Kitui County in the implementation of its affordable housing programme.“More than 200,000 affordable housing units have been built across Kenya. The President never forgot Kitui County and made an effort to establish this project of more than 160 units,” she said.

She urged residents not to be swayed by politicians opposed to the Kenya Kwanza administration, arguing that development projects should be supported for the benefit of local communities.“I urge the people of Kitui County not to be confused by politicians who claim they will support the people when they are elected. We do not know when that opportunity will come. 

Let us take advantage of the opportunities and projects we have from the national Government and protect them,” Dr Nyamai said.»

Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) Commissioner Ben Muasya said the project had contributed significantly to employment creation and increased circulation of money within Kitui town.

Muasya said more than 200 young people from Kitui County had secured employment opportunities during the construction period, while local businesses had benefited from the supply of construction materials and other services.“We should not just look at this as a building. It is a demonstration of how job opportunities are created. More than 200 youths from this county have been working on the project, while businesses have also benefited from the supplies they provide,” Muasya said.

He estimated that about Sh500 million spent on the project would remain within the local economy through wages, procurement of construction materials and other services.

State House Director of Coordination Boniface Musambi said construction had progressed despite challenges posed by the rainy season earlier in the year, saying the Government was committed to ensuring the project was completed before the end of December.

He also encouraged residents of Kitui Central to visit the site and familiarise themselves with the housing units and the process of acquiring them once they become available.

The project forms part of the Government's wider affordable housing programme aimed at increasing access to decent housing while creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.

By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

The decline in school attendance and increasing cases of learners dropping out of education have left some schools with classrooms and other infrastructure but very few, or no, learners and teachers.

Speaking in Kitui town, the County Director of Education, Dr Khalif Hassan, urged parents, education stakeholders and community leaders to ensure all children who have dropped out of school return and continue with their education.

Dr Khalif said low enrolment was also affecting government capitation, with schools receiving allocations based on the number of learners enrolled. He warned that some institutions were receiving insufficient funding to meet their operational needs.

He cited Mbusyani and Munyange secondary schools in Kitui Central, as well as Manooni and Soma primary schools in Katulani Sub-county, as some of the institutions affected by the enrolment crisis.“There are many schools in Kitui that are at risk of getting shut down because of poor enrolment. One of them is Mbusyani Secondary School, where there are no learners. We want to withdraw the principal and send them to another school. We have literally closed Munyange Secondary School and removed the principal and teachers. Manooni and Soma primary schools in Katulani Sub-county have already been closed for lack of learners,” Dr Khalif said.

He called on parents and the wider community to prioritise education and encourage children who have left school to return, warning that continued low enrolment could lead to wastage of public resources invested in school infrastructure.

Dr Khalif also called on school heads and Boards of Management (BOMs) to strengthen security in learning institutions following an incident in which a school dormitory in Kitui Central was reportedly burnt. “We request school heads and BOMs to strengthen security in schools. We are still investigating an incident where a school dormitory in Kitui Central was burnt by a villager, so there is a need for proper security,” he said.

He further urged schools to implement new guidelines issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba on learning hours. Under the guidelines, classroom learning should begin at around 8am and end between 3.30pm and 4.45pm, allowing learners sufficient time to participate in co-curricular activities such as clubs and games. “As schools have resumed, we request Boards of Management and heads of institutions to follow the new guidelines on learning hours. We want learning to start at around 8am and end between 3.30pm and 4.45pm to give learners time to participate in co-curricular activities,” Dr Khalif said.

He also encouraged day and boarding schools to introduce feeding programmes, particularly for day scholars, to improve attendance and learner retention. “I request school administrations, Boards of Management, parents and teachers in both comprehensive and senior secondary schools to provide meals for day scholars, even if it is once a day, to avoid absenteeism and help retain learners in school this term,” he said.

L-14000

M-12000

S-10000

L-9000

M-7000-Muoma

S-6000

Dated: Thursday August 27, 2026

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Speaking at Nica Kithare Church, Njeru said although tea factories do borrow money, the loans are obtained for various purposes, including factory operations, capital investments and expansion projects, and should not automatically be linked to farmers’ bonuses.

He said it was misleading to claim that factories have been borrowing loans to pay farmers their bonuses, noting that the financial position and borrowing needs of individual factories differ.

Njeru explained that some factories, particularly in the West of the Rift, may occasionally require financing to bridge cash-flow gaps arising from low tea absorption at the auction and weaker prices. However, he maintained that this should not be generalized to all tea factories.

He cited Rukuriri Tea Factory as an example, saying it secured a Sh150 million loan to facilitate the installation of orthodox tea processing machinery. He dismissed claims that the factory has a Sh300 million loan, saying the Sh150 million facility is almost fully repaid.

Njeru said most factories in the East of the Rift have stronger financial capacity to meet their operational costs and farmers’ payments while also investing in projects aimed at improving efficiency and increasing returns to farmers.

His remarks come amid claims that farmers could receive a lower bonuses because factories were allegedly still servicing loans taken during the previous payout.

Njeru maintained that borrowing by a tea factory should not automatically be interpreted as borrowing to pay farmers’ bonuses, insisting that each factory’s financial position should be assessed on its own circumstances.

He also called for patience as investigations into the Sh322 million fertilizer transaction continue, saying the outcome of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) probe will establish the facts surrounding the matter.

Njeru reiterated KTDA’s commitment to transparency, sound governance and safeguarding the interests of tea farmers.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Speaking on Friday during the 11th graduation ceremony of the University of Embu, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the Government was continuously refining the funding model to better respond to the diverse circumstances of students joining universities and TVET institutions.

Ogamba said the Government’s goal was to open opportunities equitably and ensure that no student’s talent is wasted due to lack of financial means. He said the Government had, in this regard, developed a new funding framework dubbed the Universal Student Funding Model, which focuses on investing directly in students’ future professional capacity.

The CS said the new framework would move away from the Student-Centred Funding Model (SCFM), introduced in 2023 and based on the Means Testing Instrument (MTI), which assessed students’ education funding according to their parents’ financial circumstances.

He noted that the Government had faced longstanding challenges in financing higher education, dating back to the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model, which was phased out in 2023 following the introduction of SCFM. According to Ogamba, the two models contributed to universities accumulating huge debts, partly due to inadequate government funding, leaving some institutions in severe financial distress.

The CS said the existing approach focused on assessing parents rather than students, which could disadvantage deserving students whenever the formula inaccurately assessed their parents’ financial ability. “We have changed that thinking by now focusing on the future of the students by funding their professional careers instead of parents’ current financial ability,” he said.

Ogamba added that the system had, in some cases, forced students to abandon careers of their choice and pursue courses that their parents could afford to finance. Under the proposed model, he said, the Government was seeking to transform university education from a household expense into a state-backed investment in human capital.

Chancellor of the University of Embu, Prof. Musili Wambua, said the increased student enrolment at the institution was a result of the quality of education being offered to students at the institution of higher learning and the trust that the people have with the university.

Prof. Wambua said the university has also been ranked among the best public universities on several occasions, attributing the strong performance to proper coordination and collaboration among the university community.

He applauded the Government for its continued funding of higher education, describing the support as a positive step towards strengthening universities and making quality education more accessible.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Daniel Mugendi said 2,367 graduands received certificates, diplomas, degrees, master’s and PhD qualifications during the graduation ceremony. He urged the graduates to utilise the skills and knowledge acquired at the university to transform their own lives and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The towns earmarked for elevation to municipal status are Runyenjes in Runyenjes Constituency, Kiritiri in Mbeere South Constituency and Siakago in Mbeere North Constituency.

The three will supplement the existing Embu Municipality, which serves as the county headquarters in Manyatta Constituency.

County Executive Committee Member for Lands Raymond Kinyua said the process is already underway following the inauguration of ad hoc committees two months ago by Governor Cecily Mbarire.

Kinyua said the committees are tasked with delineating and reviewing boundaries for the proposed municipalities before submitting their recommendations to the county government.

He described the initiative as a major milestone in Embu’s urban development agenda, saying it will lay the foundation for well-planned, sustainable and inclusive urban centres.

According to CECM Kinyua, the elevation of the towns will enhance service delivery while creating opportunities for investment and improving the quality of life for residents.

He said municipalities have greater potential to attract local and international donor funding and grants, while also facilitating improvements in infrastructure, governance and the business environment.

The CECM said the county expects the ad hoc committees to submit their report by December, after which individual municipal charters will be tabled before the County Assembly for debate, review and approval.

He said once the charters are approved and awarded by the Governor, the county will embark on establishing the necessary governance structures for the new municipalities.

Kinyua projected that the three municipalities could be fully operational by April next year, subject to completion of the approval process.

The county is also exploring collaboration with the Kirinyaga County Government to elevate Makutano Town, which straddles the two counties, to municipal status.

Kinyua said Makutano is a strategic transport and commercial hub at the intersection of the Kenol-Marua Dual Carriage and the Embu-Meru Highway, and its elevation would further boost economic growth in both counties.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The partnership is aimed at advancing water projects especially in areas prone to drought in order to improve the supply of the essential commodity. 

Mr Naporos said TAWWDA was implementing expanded water connections in Ukambani counties and Kajiado county. These are the regions served by TAWWDA. Among its major works are the multimillion expansion and augmentation of the Masinga-Kitui Intake Works and Kiambere-Mwingi last-mile connectivity projects.

Water CECM Peter Gitonga attended the meeting as well as other senior officials from the County Government of Kitui,  TAWWDA,  KITWASCO and KIMWASCO.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking today during the burial of the late Francis Nzilu Mitau in Kiviu, Miambani Ward, Kitui Central Constituency, Senator Wambua said county health facilities are in a state of decay. According to him, many patients and residents have been left to fend for themselves with no meaningful health care provision.

He has further revealed that county hospitals have no working systems and continue to charge patients for every service, including the purchase of drugs, despite the county government receiving substantial equitable share allocations from the National Government, enough to cater for universal affordable health care to county residents. 

The Senator revealed that he has several pending statements at the floor of the Senate seeking answers from the governor on why health care remains “a bitter pill to swallow” for Kitui residents. 

He also addressed political speculation, reassuring residents and the Kamba community that Wiper Party Leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka remains firmly in the race to unseat President William Ruto on the 10th August 2027 General Election. 

Senator Wambua dismissed reports of an alleged meeting between Kalonzo and President Ruto as fake news, terming it propaganda by government bloggers who are already rattled by Kalonzo’s candidature under the United Alternative Government coalition.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Most county hospitals operated with minimal or no services as healthcare workers kept off their duty stations, forcing many patients to wait for hours without receiving treatment.

Patients who spoke to the press at Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital expressed frustration over the prolonged strike, saying they were the ones bearing the greatest burden of the stalemate.

Many said they had visited the hospital hoping to receive treatment but were turned away due to the absence of healthcare workers.

Mercy Karanja, who had sought medical services at the referral hospital, said she had not received any treatment despite spending several hours at the facility. She appealed to the county government to move with speed and resolve the dispute with health workers to restore normal services in public hospitals.

Another patient, Jennifer Wawira, urged the County Government of Embu to address the grievances raised by the striking health workers without further delay. Wawira, who had brought her son for treatment after he sustained a broken hand, said it was unfortunate that patients could not access services in public hospitals.

She noted that many families could not afford treatment in private hospitals and therefore depended entirely on public health facilities. Wawira said the continued strike had left vulnerable patients with no alternative, calling on all parties involved to find a lasting solution.

Embu County Youth Leader James Ireri, who visited the hospital on what he described as a fact-finding mission, criticized the county government over the handling of the crisis. Ireri accused Governor Cecily Mbarire of showing little interest in resolving the impasse, saying the prolonged dispute had subjected residents to unnecessary suffering.

He called for the immediate resolution of the health workers' grievances, saying restoring healthcare services should be treated as a matter of urgency to prevent further suffering among the people of Embu.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Speaking in Embu County during the commissioning of Coffee Revitalization Committees for Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Kirinyaga counties, Oparanya said the proposed laws are aimed at addressing long-standing challenges that have left coffee farmers with low returns despite their hard work.

The Cabinet Secretary said many coffee farmers have suffered for years due to poor leadership and mismanagement within cooperative societies, accusing rogue officials of exploiting farmers and weakening the cooperative movement.

He said the proposed Cooperatives Bill will seal leadership loopholes that have allowed some officials to misuse cooperative societies for personal gain, insisting that stronger governance structures are key to reviving the sector.

According to Oparanya, poor governance has significantly contributed to the decline in coffee production in Kenya, adding that restoring transparency and accountability in cooperatives will rebuild farmers' confidence and boost productivity.

He noted that the bill clearly defines the roles of both the national and county governments in managing the cooperative sector, creating well-structured institutions that will better protect coffee farmers and strengthen the cooperative movement.

Oparanya also highlighted the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2008, saying it seeks to improve financing within the cooperative movement and provide stronger financial support to various cooperative sectors across the country.

On coffee earnings, the Cabinet Secretary said the government is reviewing the Minimum Guaranteed Return to ensure farmers receive better advance payments while waiting for their coffee to be marketed.

He revealed that the government currently pays farmers an advance of Sh40 per kilogramme of cherry through the Cherry Advance Revolving Fund but is considering increasing the amount to Sh60 to improve farmers' cash flow.

Coffee Revitalization Committee Chairman Njeru Ndwiga said Kenya's coffee industry once flourished before liberalization weakened cooperative leadership and created loopholes that were exploited by a few individuals.

Ndwiga said the collapse of coffee unions and weak oversight turned many cooperative societies into businesses serving individual interests instead of farmers, with some leaders remaining in office for years without accountability.

He called for comprehensive reforms to restore integrity within coffee cooperatives, saying stronger institutions and transparent leadership are essential to returning the sector to its former glory.

Meanwhile, Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma issued a stern warning against rising cases of coffee theft at factories, saying security agencies will firmly deal with those involved. He said the government will not tolerate criminal activities that deny farmers the full value of their produce and vowed to protect the country's coffee value chain.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Mr. Alex Musili pleaded not guilty to two counts of illegal connection of water to his business as well as illegal sale of the essential commodity. He was released on KSh 50,000 cash bail. The Kiambere-Mwingi Water And Sanitation Company, Kimwasco is the legally recognized company that reticulates water in pipes in Mwingi township.

Musili will return to Mwingi Law Courts on August 3, 2026 for the mention of the case and further direction by the court.

Kimwasco has been in the media in recent past over complaints touching on loss of millions of shillings due to illegal water connections. Kimwasco boss Mr Mutunga Mwangangi, has claimed that the company loses up to KSh 8 million in a month to illicit water connections. This makes the water company struggle in meeting water services delivery to the people.

"We have consequently embarked on a crackdown on all people who have illegally connected water from our lines to make sure they face the full force of the law", the said the MD for Kimwasco last week.

L-18000

M-9000

S-6000

L-14000 Muoma

M-6000 Mbaika

S-4500

Dated:16/7/2026

By BONIFACE MWANIKI 

He made these remarks at Kitui county offices during the performance contracting signing. He encouraged CECMs  and county governor sectors to ensure prudent use of county resources. 

Citing a bridge which has been constructed to link Kyamathyaka and Kwa Mulungu areas, the governor said that his government had done the bridge at a cost of KSh54 million, while a similar bridge was costing the national government over 300 million. 

Governor Dr Malombe promised to go out from the office every Friday to launch various projects across the county, so that residents could see for themselves what their government is doing in their specific areas.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The miners made their submissions during a public participation forum held at the Kenya School of Government, Embu Campus, where the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs sought views on the Draft Minerals Mining and Value Addition Policy, the Draft Explosives Bill 2026 and the Draft Mining (Mine Health, Safety and Environment) Regulations 2026.

Speaking during the forum, Paul Migwi from the Mbeere Artisanal Miners Cooperative Society argued that some of the proposals do not reflect the current state of Kenya's mining industry.

He said the proposal to limit artisanal miners to simple tools ignores the progress made by many small-scale miners, urging the government to embrace mechanisation by allowing the use of modern equipment to improve productivity, safety and efficiency. "We cannot continue treating artisanal mining as if it has remained the same for decades. Modern equipment will help us produce more while improving safety at our mining sites," he said.

Migwi further cautioned against adopting mining policies borrowed from developed countries without considering Kenya's unique circumstances. He argued that the country's mining sector is still developing and requires laws tailored to local conditions rather than foreign models.

Licensing also emerged as one of the biggest concerns raised by the miners. They complained that acquiring mining licences remains expensive and highly bureaucratic because the process is largely centralised at Madini House in Nairobi, forcing miners from remote areas to incur transport and accommodation costs they can barely afford.

The miners urged the government to simplify and decentralise the licensing process while reducing the cost of obtaining permits, saying many genuine miners are unable to formalise their operations due to financial constraints. They noted that despite the challenges, artisanal miners contribute significantly to the country's economy.

Migwi also opposed the heavy penalties proposed in some of the draft laws, saying fines running into millions of shillings would cripple small-scale miners who already operate under difficult and risky conditions. Instead, he proposed strengthening mining cooperatives and county associations to regulate the sector through self-governance and compliance.

His views were echoed by James Mukwoko, who emphasised the need for continuous training and capacity building for artisanal miners. He said many miners lack adequate technical knowledge on mining practices, safety standards and environmental management, adding that proper training would improve productivity and professionalism in the sector.

Kirinyaga County Executive Committee Member for Mining James Kinyua said county governments have for years been sidelined in matters relating to mining despite hosting the communities that undertake the activities. He called for greater involvement of counties in policy formulation, licensing and management of mineral resources.

Responding to the concerns, Director of Mines David Onyancha assured stakeholders that all views collected during the public participation exercise would be considered during the review of the draft laws. He said the ministry was committed to ensuring the final policies respond to the needs of all players in the mining sector.

By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

Kitui, one of Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, has historically faced development challenges in key sectors such as education and healthcare. Many schools have struggled with inadequate infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and limited learning resources, affecting the quality of education and contributing to school dropouts.

To address these challenges, the Safaricom Foundation and M-Pesa Foundation have undertaken a series of projects aimed at improving learning environments and enhancing educational outcomes across the county.

The latest intervention saw the commissioning of a Sh40 million modern storey building comprising classrooms and administration offices at Kithumuoni Comprehensive School in Mumoni Ward, Mwingi North Constituency.

Speaking during the official opening ceremony, Safaricom Group Chief Risk Officer Nicholas Mulila said the two foundations remain committed to supporting education through infrastructure development across the country.

"Education is the greatest equaliser in society. As an organisation, we are committed to building communities by investing in schools. We are creating a better learning environment for these young learners and helping shape a brighter future for them," said Mulila.

He urged parents, teachers and community members to safeguard the facilities to ensure they continue benefiting future generations. "Once construction is complete, these facilities are handed over to the community. The best way to appreciate this investment is by ensuring our children utilise these resources effectively and remain focused on their education," he added.

Mulila also called on both national and county leaders, including aspiring politicians, to prioritise development projects that directly improve the lives of citizens. "Wherever you serve, remember the people who elected you. Champion development initiatives that uplift communities and improve their living standards," he said.

Beyond education, Safaricom is also expanding its communication infrastructure in remote parts of Kitui County through the installation of network boosters aimed at improving connectivity and access to communication services.

The education projects are expected to enhance learning conditions, boost enrolment and improve academic performance in schools that have long grappled with inadequate infrastructure.

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The agribusiness finance solutions provider has intensified its operations across key agricultural counties including Nyeri, Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nithi and Laikipia, targeting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that play a crucial role in supporting local economies and Kenya's food production systems.

Despite the region being one of the country's most productive agricultural zones, many agribusinesses continue to face cash-flow challenges that hinder their growth and limit their ability to increase inventory, meet customer demand and maintain strong supplier relationships.

The affected businesses include agrovets, suppliers, manufacturers, processors, aggregators and distributors who rely on adequate working capital to sustain and expand their operations.

To bridge the financing gap, Avenews is rolling out trade-based financing solutions designed to improve liquidity and enable businesses to access stock financing when needed.

Speaking during stakeholder engagements in Nyeri, Avenews Business Development Director Emanuel Murai said timely access to financing is critical in driving the growth of agricultural SMEs. "Agri-SMEs in this region have strong demand and established markets, but liquidity often holds them back. By enabling them to finance stock purchases seamlessly, we are helping businesses grow, strengthen supplier relationships and operate with greater confidence," said Murai.

Under the financing model, businesses can access credit at the point of purchasing stock, allowing them to increase inventory and respond quickly to market opportunities. Once repayments are made, they regain access to credit and can continue borrowing as new opportunities arise.

According to the company, the approach enables distributors, traders and other agribusiness players to secure additional stock during peak seasons without straining their cash flow.

Avenews has also intensified engagements with agribusiness operators in Nyeri, Embu and Meru counties to better understand market needs and raise awareness about financing solutions tailored to agricultural value chains.

The company noted that the Mt Kenya region is serving as a key learning and data hub for refining its embedded trade-based financing model ahead of a wider national rollout.

Insights gathered from the region will help shape Avenews' expansion strategy aimed at scaling working capital solutions across Kenya's major agricultural corridors, strengthening trade systems and supporting sustainable growth among agribusinesses.

The firm expressed confidence that improved access to financing will enable more agricultural enterprises to expand operations, enhance supply chain efficiency and contribute to food security and economic growth across the country.

Male Goats

Large-11000-14000

Medium-8000-10000

Small-5000

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Mature bull-60-110K

Medium bull-45-60K

Young bull-40-45K

Mature female-45-65K

Medium female-40-50K

Young female-30-40K

Mature buck-12-21K

Medium buck-9-12K

Young buck-5-7K

Mature female-8500-16K

Medium Female-6500-8K

Young female-5-6K

Dated:28/5/2026

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Union officials who addressed the press in Embu town today said the decision to resume duties followed the payment of April salaries, which had delayed and triggered the strike.

The strike had disrupted operations in hospitals and health centres, forcing patients to seek alternative medical services as most public facilities remained understaffed.

Alloys Njoka, the chairman of the health workers union, urged the County Government of Embu to ensure salaries and statutory deductions are always remitted on time. Njoka said delayed salaries had caused financial hardships among workers, adding that health workers deserve better treatment considering the essential services they provide to residents and visitors.

He also criticised what he termed as arbitrary transfers of health workers, saying the transfers inconvenience employees especially at a time when some have not been paid their dues.

According to Njoka, the devolved unit should engage workers and union officials before effecting transfers to avoid unnecessary disruptions in service delivery.

Kenya Union of Nurses (KNUN) Embu branch Secretary General Macharia Kanderi urged the county government not to victimise workers returning to duty after the strike. Kanderi said health workers had exercised their constitutional right to strike and should therefore not face intimidation or punitive measures for participating in the industrial action.

At the same time, Kenya National Union of Clinical Officers Embu branch Secretary Jacinta Rwamba said promotion of health workers remains one of the major grievances affecting staff morale.

Rwamba claimed that out of the Sh247 million used by the county government for promotions, about 88 percent benefited one cadre, leaving other health worker cadres with minimal allocations. She maintained that unions would continue lobbying until all their grievances are fully addressed.