Lusaka inks 3-year deal to strengthen Bungoma Community Health Systems

In a major boost to primary healthcare, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Makelo Lusaka has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Living Goods aimed at strengthening community health systems across the county.

The agreement, sealed at the County Headquarters, will support the full rollout of the Digitally Enabled, Equipped, Supervised and Compensated (DESC) Community Health workforce model, benefiting all 3,590 Community Health Promoters (CHPs).

Speaking during the signing, Governor Lusaka hailed the partnership as “a transformative step in bringing quality healthcare closer to the people.”
He added: “This MoU demonstrates our commitment to investing in community health as the foundation of universal health coverage. With this collaboration, we are ensuring that every household in Bungoma receives timely, efficient and digitally supported health services.”

Under the deal, the County Government will finance and operationalize key components of the Community Health Services Act, provide digital devices for CHPs, strengthen supply chains, and ensure timely payment of stipends.

Living Goods, on its part, will provide technical assistance, capacity building, digital health training, quality assurance, and structured mentorship to CHMT and sub-county teams.

Living Goods Country Director Christine Namayanja praised the county’s leadership, calling the partnership “a bold commitment to sustainable, county-led community health.”
She said: “Our role is to empower the county to fully own and lead its community health strategy. We are here to support systems strengthening, digital transformation and performance improvements that will save lives and build resilience.”

Ms. Namayanja emphasized that the agreement adopts a phased graduation model, where Living Goods gradually transitions responsibilities back to the county as systems mature.
“By the end of the three years,” she noted, “Bungoma will have a fully self-sustaining, high-performing community health system anchored on data, accountability and strong local leadership.”

Governor Lusaka reaffirmed the county’s readiness for the transition, saying: “We will walk this journey together to ensure that every child, mother and family in Bungoma benefits from an efficient, responsive, and technology-driven community health workforce.”

The KSh1.02 billion partnership marks one of the most comprehensive community health strengthening efforts in the region and is expected to significantly improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes across Bungoma.