Turkana County Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has confirmed the release of funds to settle outstanding salary and allowance arrears owed to medical practitioners across county health facilities.
Addressing residents in Turkana on March 3, 2026, the governor said the disbursement marks a decisive intervention by his administration to resolve the long-standing backlog. He described the move as a critical step toward restoring stability within the county’s health sector, which has faced operational strain amid delayed payments.
Lomorukai emphasized that clearing the arrears forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen service delivery, improve staff morale, and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for residents.
“We are going to release 58 million very soon. I think the document has been sent today, and any other deficit from many years ago will have to be budgeted in the next budget because there is a deficit of about 35 million that has been stalled for many months, for many years,” Lomorukai said.
The governor said the release of the funds is aimed at restoring morale among physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers who have continued to serve despite prolonged payment delays. He acknowledged that the accumulated arrears had placed significant financial pressure on medical personnel, many of whom have been working under difficult conditions.
The unpaid dues, which built up over time, had also sparked concerns about the sustainability of healthcare services in the expansive and largely remote county, where access to medical care remains a critical challenge.
By settling the outstanding dues, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai said the county government aims to ease tensions and reaffirm its commitment to frontline health workers.
Turkana’s health sector has long grappled with persistent challenges, including chronic staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure and the high cost of delivering services across vast, hard-to-reach terrain. Delayed salaries have periodically compounded these difficulties, with health workers warning that prolonged payment gaps erode morale and undermine effective service delivery. The governor’s latest announcement appears designed to mend relations between the county administration and medical practitioners while safeguarding uninterrupted patient care.
Lomorukai maintained that healthcare remains a top priority for his administration, stressing that timely remuneration is essential to retaining skilled personnel in public facilities. He expressed confidence that clearing the arrears would not only improve working conditions but also enhance efficiency and accountability within the sector.
The development comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over county governments’ financial management and service delivery standards.
Turkana County standoff with medics
Turkana County has faced a protracted dispute with medical professionals over delayed salaries, unpaid allowances and unresolved human resource concerns. The standoff simmered for months, with healthcare workers accusing the county government of failing to meet payroll obligations despite repeated consultations.
Doctors, clinical officers, nurses and laboratory staff reported extended periods without pay, saying the delays strained their personal finances and dampened morale across health facilities, further intensifying pressure on an already fragile system.
In 2024, tensions escalated after sections of the county’s health workforce threatened to down their tools unless their grievances were addressed. The looming strike underscored deep-seated frustrations over delayed salaries and unresolved employment matters.
In Lodwar, groups of health workers staged protests demanding the immediate payment of outstanding wages, confirmation of newly recruited officers, promotions, proper placement within designated job groups and harmonisation of terms. The demonstrations amplified pressure on the county administration, highlighting the urgency of resolving long-standing human resource disputes within the health sector.
