The County Government of Kiambu has intensified efforts to strengthen community health systems by linking frontline healthcare delivery with sustainable livelihood initiatives for Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
A high-level review and planning meeting, convened by the Department of Health Services, brought together key stakeholders to align ongoing community health programs with an entrepreneurship empowerment agenda for CHPs.
The forum, held in Kiambu, included representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, Amref Health Africa in Kenya, the Mastercard Foundation, and relevant State Departments. Participants reviewed progress, shared lessons learned, and reaffirmed the County’s commitment to enhancing the socio-economic well-being of CHPs through structured business training, innovation, and sustainable income-generating models.
The initiative complements the essential health services CHPs provide at the grassroots level. By equipping them with entrepreneurship skills and expanding economic opportunities, the program aims to build a resilient, motivated, and effective community health workforce.
Officials laid the groundwork for vetting community health units that submitted business proposals under the program. The vetting process, set to begin immediately, will determine eligibility for seed capital support, enabling CHPs to launch or scale income-generating ventures aligned with their health responsibilities.
Sub-County Community Health Focal Persons convened a consultative meeting following the plenary to coordinate the vetting exercise. Discussions focused on harmonizing procedures, clarifying roles, and ensuring implementation adheres to the broader CHP entrepreneurship framework. Leaders emphasized transparency and accountability as central to the process.
County health officials highlighted that economically empowered CHPs contribute to stronger and more sustainable health systems, noting that supporting frontline workers socially and financially enhances service delivery at the community level.
Through this integrated approach, Kiambu is positioning community health not only as a vital public service but also as a pathway to economic empowerment, fostering healthier communities supported by resilient and self-reliant frontline workers.
By Clifford Chomba
