Khalwale sounds alarm over health and education crisis in Kakamega
By Emmanuel Rono, April 29, 2026Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has raised alarm over a deepening financial crisis in Kakamega County, warning that it is undermining healthcare access for civil servants and crippling key education programmes.
In a request for a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, the senator detailed a harrowing situation where county employees are being denied medical treatment.
Despite having the necessary funds deducted from their monthly pay cheques, the county has failed to remit these statutory contributions to the Social Health Authority and M-TIBA.
According to a statement by the Parliament of Kenya on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the senator did not mince words regarding the human cost of these administrative failures.
Effect of irregular remittance
He noted that this irregular remittance has exposed them and their dependents to financial hardship and denial of essential care, undermining their welfare and eroding trust in public financial management.
The senator said the failure has left workers and their dependents exposed, with many reportedly turned away from hospitals at critical moments due to inactive or uncredited health cover.
“The Senator did not mince words regarding the human cost of these administrative failures. He noted that this irregular remittance has exposed them and their dependents to financial hardship and denial of essential care, undermining their welfare and eroding trust in public financial management,” Parliament of Kenya statement read.
He further warned that the situation has created a sense of betrayal among public servants who continue to serve despite not accessing benefits they have already paid for.
ECDE funding
Beyond healthcare, Khalwale also flagged sharp cuts in funding for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the county.
According to the lawmaker, the reduction in capitation threatens the sustainability and quality of foundational and technical education, disproportionately affecting vulnerable learners and weakening long-term human capital development.
“This budgetary shift threatens the quality and sustainability of foundational and technical education, disproportionately affecting vulnerable learners and weakening human capital development,” Khalwale said.
Khalwale is now seeking a detailed account of the total amounts deducted from employees’ salaries versus what has been remitted to the relevant health schemes. He also wants an explanation for the reduced education funding and the measures being taken to address the gaps.