Deputy President kithure Kindiki has promised that the government will improve the working conditions of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), describing them as the backbone of Kenya’s healthcare system.
Kindiki, who on Thursday hosted more than 3,000 CHPs from Embu County at Irunduni in Tharaka Nithi, praised their role in disease prevention and in driving the registration of Kenyans under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“We are grateful for the work you are doing. You are the foot soldiers of our Universal Health Coverage project the infantry on the frontline of better healthcare,” the DP told the gathering.
He credited the CHPs for the progress made in SHA registration, which now stands at more than 26 million and is projected to reach 30 million by December.
“This success belongs to you. You are the SHA heroes, and we are committed to making your work easier and your terms better,” he said.
Last year, the national government and counties recruited over 107,000 CHPs, each equipped with basic medical kits. The workers spread across the 47 counties receive a monthly stipend shared between the two levels of government.
Kindiki described their recruitment as one of the most important health decisions since independence.
“Your work has saved lives. By detecting conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes early, referring patients, and following up with those on medication, you have prevented countless tragedies,” he said.
Governor Cecily Mbarire, who attended the meeting, echoed the DP’s remarks, calling CHPs the “true ambassadors of SHA.”
“Without them, we would not have achieved such progress in bringing health services closer to the people,” she said.
Beyond health, Kindiki outlined development projects in Embu County, including the revival of stalled roads, construction of 12 new markets, and the allocation of Sh1.2 billion for last-mile electricity connections double the previous budget.
He thanked Governor Mbarire and area MPs for backing government plans, promising his personal support.
“I am available 24/7 to make sure Embu County gets what it deserves,” he said.
