Marsabit Senator urges Senate to resolve CHP payment delays, water project setbacks

Marsabit Senator Mohamed Said Chute.(Photo: Senate)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Saturday, October 11, 2025

Marsabit Senator Mohamed Said Chute has appealed to the Senate to resolve two long-standing challenges facing his county: the non-payment of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) for more than a year and the delayed completion of key borehole projects meant to ease water shortages.

In two statements presented separately under Standing Order 53(1), the Senator requested the Standing Committee on Health and the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources to investigate the two concerns, which he said have had serious effects on community livelihoods and access to essential services.

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Raising the issue of health workers first, Chute lamented that CHPs have gone unpaid since September 2024 despite their vital role in delivering preventive health services and supporting communities in remote areas.

He said the delay has left many of them struggling financially, even as they continue to serve the public.

“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 added.

Chute urged the Senate Health Committee to establish the reasons behind the delayed payments, confirm if funds were released by the National Treasury, and identify any administrative failures causing the delay.

He further called for the immediate settlement of arrears and the creation of a structured system to ensure prompt and regular payment to the CHPs in future.

Addressing the second concern, the Senator sought an inquiry into the El Gadhe, Kambinye, and Bagasi borehole projects, which he said have stalled despite significant funding.

He asked the Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources to table a report detailing the scope of each project, its intended beneficiaries, and a breakdown of allocations and expenditure from the 2020/2021 to 2024/2025 financial years.

“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.

He also asked for access to all certified project documents, including hydrogeological surveys, test pumping reports, Bills of Quantities, completion certificates, and payment records, to enhance accountability.

“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 said.

Both statements were committed to the respective committees, which are expected to probe the issues and present detailed reports before the Senate.