The Busia County Government has reinstated medical cover for its employees and eligible dependants, days after suspending the scheme, allowing beneficiaries to resume accessing healthcare services with immediate effect.

In an internal memo dated Friday, June 26, 2026, County Chief Officer for Human Resources and Public Communication Wilberforce Lusamba informed staff that the matter had been resolved.

“Further to our earlier communication regarding the suspension of the staff medical cover, we are pleased to inform you that the matter has been resolved, and the medical cover has now been fully reinstated. All staff and eligible dependants can therefore resume accessing medical services under the scheme with immediate effect,” the memo stated.

The reinstatement comes three days after the county’s medical insurer suspended the cover, affecting county employees and their dependants.

Cover restored

The suspension followed a letter issued by Star Discover Insurance on June 23, 2026, directing healthcare providers to suspend services under the Busia County staff medical scheme with immediate effect.

The notice, signed by Service Provider Liaison James Njuguna Thogo, instructed medical facilities to inform their teams of the suspension.

The interruption temporarily left county workers and their eligible dependants without access to medical services under the insurance scheme.

The county government has not disclosed details of the resolution that led to the restoration of the cover but confirmed that beneficiaries can immediately resume accessing services.

Omtatah welcomes move

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah welcomed the reinstatement, saying the decision demonstrated the importance of public engagement.

“The reinstatement of medical cover for Busia County staff is a welcome step. It confirms that speaking out works when leaders choose to listen,” Omtatah stated.

He also commended county employees and members of the public who raised concerns over the suspension.

“I commend every worker who raised their voice and everyone who demanded fairness. Access to healthcare is not a privilege reserved for a few. It is a right that must be protected for all county employees,” Omtatah added.

Omtatah had previously raised concerns over the county’s medical cover, calling on the County Executive and County Assembly to address issues affecting the scheme.

Call for accountability

The senator said reinstating the medical cover should be followed by consistent implementation to ensure staff continue receiving healthcare services without interruption.

“Accountability does not end with reinstatement. It ends when every worker can walk into a hospital and receive the care they deserve,” he said.

The restoration brings relief to county employees and their dependants, who had been affected by the suspension earlier in the week.

County governments are required to provide medical cover for their employees, with the schemes intended to support access to healthcare for staff and their eligible dependants while in service.