BUSIA- Marsabit Senator Mohamed Said Chute has urged the Senate to intervene in addressing two pressing concerns affecting his county the prolonged non-payment of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and the stalled implementation of key borehole projects.
Rising on two separate statements pursuant to Standing Order 53(1), Senator Chute called upon the Standing Committee on Health and the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources to investigate the two matters, emphasizing that both issues have deeply impacted the livelihoods and well-being of residents.
In his first statement, the Senator raised alarm over the plight of CHPs who have reportedly gone for more than a year without receiving their stipends since September 2024, He said the non-payment has caused immense hardship for the young people who tirelessly serve on the frontlines of healthcare delivery.
“It is disheartening that those who dedicate themselves to safeguarding the health of our communities continue to serve without pay,” Senator Chute said. “These are men and women working in remote areas, promoting preventive care and providing the first line of response in health emergencies. Their service must be respected and compensated.”
He urged the Committee on Health to establish the reasons behind the delay in payment, confirm whether funds were disbursed to the county by the National Treasury, and explain any existing administrative bottlenecks.
The Senator further sought to know what measures are being undertaken to ensure that all arrears owed to CHPs are cleared without further delay and that a clear payment framework is established to guarantee timely remuneration going forward.
Turning to the issue of stalled borehole projects, Senator Chute requested the Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources to provide a detailed report on the El Gadhe, Kambinye, and Bagasi boreholes, including their scope, objectives, and intended beneficiaries.
He also demanded an itemized breakdown of funds allocated and expended between Financial Years 2020/2021 and 2024/2025, complete with funding sources and expenditure details.
“The people of Marsabit continue to grapple with acute water shortages despite millions being allocated to borehole development, we need to know where the money went and whether these projects are delivering results.”he said.
Senator Chute also called for the submission of certified project documents, including hydrogeological surveys, test pumping reports, Bills of Quantities, completion certificates, and payment vouchers. He stressed that transparency in such public projects is essential for building trust and ensuring sustainable development.
“These projects are not mere statistics they are lifelines for our people, Every coin spent must translate into tangible benefits for the communities in Marsabit.” He emphasized.
Both matters have been committed to their respective Senate Committees, which are expected to investigate and table reports before the House in due course.
