The fate of more than 150 health staff in Nyamira county is unknown after monies which were initially allocated for renewal of their contracts was diverted to other functions by Nyamira county Assembly budget committee.
Sh93 million which had been set aside for the staff who were hired by Aphia Plus (an American non-governmental organization) was reallocated to development votes within the department of health, meaning that the workers will be out of contract once the one they signed expires.
In total, the county health budget was trimmed from Sh1.84 billion to around Sh1.5 billion.
Ironically, Sh84 million for the department of Public Administration and coordination of decentralized units was approved as an increment to cater for salaries and wages for enforcement officers and engagement of support staff.
Currently, the county has a bloated workforce of enforcement officers who total up to more than 800, with many of those employed having no specific roles.
Another Sh15 million was added to the docket of public participation and civic education which also falls under the department. The changes are part of the many adjustments which are contained in the County budget document which was passed a week ago by the Assembly.
In the budget, more than Sh500 million of funds were rea-ppropriated with development kitty within the health department being rescheduled into recurrent expenditure.
