Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi appeared before the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee over major gaps in the county’s health sector, including questionable waivers amounting to over KSh. 2.2 million issued to patients not enrolled in the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The session, chaired by Senator Godfrey Osotsi, reviewed an Auditor General report highlighting deficiencies across Baringo’s public hospitals during the 2024/2025 financial year. Key concerns included missing medical equipment, inadequate staffing, and human resource irregularities at both Level 4 sub-county hospitals and the Level 5 Baringo County Referral Hospital (BCRH).
SHA Waiver Irregularities
Senators raised concerns over SHA non-compliance, noting that waivers issued to patients without valid SHA numbers violated the Social Health Authority Regulations 2024. Governor Cheboi defended the practice, citing widespread lack of national identification among Baringo residents:
“A significant portion of our population in Baringo lacks national identity documents, making SHA registration impossible. We are often forced to choose between strict legal compliance and the human necessity of releasing a body from the mortuary or treating an indigent patient,” Cheboi explained.
Equipment and Hospital Classification Challenges
Committee members pressed the governor on the lack of critical equipment at both Level 4 and Level 5 facilities. Senator Osotsi emphasized that hospital classifications must translate into accessible and quality healthcare for patients:
“The people of Baringo were told these are Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals. Our question today is very simple: what exactly does that mean for a patient who walks through those doors?”
Governor Cheboi acknowledged the mismatch between hospital classification and available resources, noting that an asset management committee has been formed at Eldama Ravine Hospital to improve equipment tracking and management.
Human Resource Irregularities
The Auditor’s report identified 730 casual employees across county hospitals, including 222 at BCRH, many on three-month rolling contracts for up to ten years, violating the Employment Act and county HR regulations. Senator Osotsi criticized this approach:
“You cannot tell us that you do not have money to pay permanent nurses when you are already paying the same nurses on a three-month basis for ten years. The money is going out regardless.”
Governor Cheboi defended the temporary contracts as a fiscal necessity, adding that Facility Improvement Funds have been used to keep hospitals operational. He also announced plans to regularize long-serving technical staff through the Public Service Board while balancing the county’s budget.
Next Steps
The committee concluded with plans for a physical inspection of BCRH and the development of a management action plan to address staffing and operational gaps in Baringo’s public hospitals.
