Community health promoters demand better pay and training support

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]for you tonight. In Kenya's informal settlements where access to health care remains a daily struggle, a quiet force works tirelessly to keep communities healthy.

[00:00:10]Community health promoters, often the first and only point of care, brave harsh conditions to bring essential services right to the people's doorsteps.

[00:00:18]From monitoring chronic illnesses to supporting expectant mothers and children, they are the backbone of grassroots health care. Yet, despite their critical role in driving universal health coverage, many say their efforts are undervalued. They're now calling on both national and county governments to increase their stipend and enhance training.

[00:00:37]NTV's Margaret Kimathi takes us through a day in the life of a community health promoter. Take a look.

[00:00:46]Witeithie informal settlement on the outcast of Nyeri town is a maze of narrow muddy paths, makeshift homes, and poor drainage systems. Here, access to basic services remain a daily struggle with residents relying heavily on community health promoters for essential care.

[00:01:09]I accompany a group of community health promoters in Witeithie as they conduct routine home visits to assess health status of selected households.

[00:01:21]They're linked to Manyatta Dispensary and for many of them, this life-saving journey began as volunteers.

[00:01:31]Agnes Mumbi is in her second year as a CHP. Emma Kerubo and Jacinta Nduta are celebrating 4 years in the community-based service.

[00:01:43]With emergency kits firmly secured on their backs, we embark on a journey at 10:00 a.m. and 15 minutes later, we are ushered into Sarah Mwikali's home.

[00:01:55]Mwikali, who is diabetic and also suffers from high blood pressure, is seated outside her house. The CHP immediately swings into action, swiftly unpacking the blood pressure monitor.

[00:02:08]Kirubo strapped it onto Mwikali's arm and watches as the numbers climb past the safe threshold. Diastolic pressure Mumbi records the client's particulars before embarking on checking her blood sugar levels and weight.

[00:02:45]Tume kwetu kienda households.

[00:03:07]The CHP notes that Mwikali's blood pressure is high and since she's already on medication, advises her to take her drugs consistently and to drink at least 2 L of water daily.

[00:03:52]The journey continues to the next client, Amartha and her 6-month-old baby. The CHP reviews the clinic booklet to confirm she has attended all scheduled visits for the baby and that the child has received the necessary immunization before also checking her blood pressure.

[00:04:31]As we move to the next client, the team is called to attend to a patient who has been unwell for days. His legs and neck are swollen and he has been on medication for months. The CHPs quickly assess the situation and begin arranging how to get him to a health facility for further care.

[00:05:23]This is the fifth household the community health promoters have attended to within just few hours, moving from one home to another to ensure no one is left behind. Their work often involves working long hours for long distances.

[00:05:38]Despite these challenges, a single CHP can attend to 10 patients in a day.

[00:05:45]Samuel Lehour Worn out and all sweaty owing to the area's rough terrain, we locate another client's homestead at 3:45 p.m. The last one for the day. We meet a 7-month pregnant woman and the CHP checks whether she has been attending her antenatal care visits, emphasizing the importance of delivering at a health facility. Despite their passion for the job, the promoters say their working conditions remain challenging.

[00:06:57]As key contributors to driving universal health coverage, CHPs are also calling for enhanced training and improved welfare packages.

[00:07:09]Margaret Kimathi NTV in Nyeri County.

[00:07:15]Good luck.