County sets aside Sh50.5 million for promotions with salary increases to take effect from July 2026
More than 650 health workers in Kirinyaga County will begin receiving promotions from August after the County Government set aside Sh50.5 million to fund one of the biggest staff advancement exercises in recent years. The move is expected to end years of stagnation for many employees with most of the beneficiaries having last been promoted in 2016. Successful officers will also have their new salaries backdated to July 2026.
The announcement was made by Chief Officer for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation, Dr. Muriithi Nyaga during a meeting with the County Assembly Health and Sanitation Committee chaired by Nominated MCA Hon. Bernard Gichangi at the County Assembly in Kerugoya. Dr. Nyaga said the exercise will also include the re-designation of 42 officers.
Among those set to benefit are 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, 10 physiotherapy personnel, 157 support staff and 23 drivers working in the Department of Health and Public Sanitation.
Dr. Nyaga said the promotions will mainly target officers who meet the required qualifications and have remained in the same job groups since 2016. He said the funding, approved in the recently passed county budget will allow successful officers to move to higher job groups beginning in August.
During the meeting, Hon. Bernard Gichangi directed the department to submit the full list of officers set for promotion together with the criteria that will be used in selecting them. He said the County Assembly has an oversight role and wants to ensure the process is fair, transparent and free from discrimination.
The committee chair also urged the County Public Service Board to consider converting 760 health workers currently employed on contract terms to permanent and pensionable positions saying the move would not increase the county's financial burden. He further called for pre-retirement training programmes for casual workers approaching retirement to help them prepare for life after work and reduce mental health challenges linked to retirement.
Hon. Gichangi said the committee has consistently pushed for better welfare for health workers many of whom have waited for years to receive promotions despite meeting the required qualifications.
Acting Assistant Director for Human Resource Development Moses Murimi welcomed the promotion exercise saying it will boost staff morale, increase productivity and improve healthcare services across Kirinyaga County by motivating workers to deliver better services to residents.