Bungoma County in Kenya has formally launched a landmark partnership with Living Goods, setting in motion a shared promise: to build a stronger, more digitally connected community health system capable of reaching every household with timely, lifesaving care.

Governor Kenneth Lusaka captured the moment with a challenge. “This partnership is key to the Bungoma County Government,” he affirmed. “Let this not just be a signing ceremony or an opportunity to take photos. Let us see the impact right at the household level.”

For Bungoma’s leadership, Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are the backbone of that promise. Each CHP serves 100 households, standing on the frontlines of maternal health, child wellness, disease prevention, and early detection. The Governor emphasized that equipping CHPs with digital tools will transform not just how they work, but how fast the health system can respond.

“With technology coming into place, we shall be able to reduce maternal and child mortality because cases are reported early,” he noted.

Representing the County Department of Health, Dr. Emmah Nyaboke affirmed the County’s full readiness to bring this partnership to life. Bungoma will integrate CHP activities into its annual plans, strengthen supervision, improve commodity forecasting, and ensure timely payment of stipends, “providing the hardware, the human resources, and the oversight required to ensure this partnership delivers results,” she said.

On behalf of Living Goods, Kenya Country Director Christine Namayanja echoed this commitment. She outlined how digital enablement, stronger supervision, performance management, IT training, and a reinforced supply chain will support CHPs to perform at their best.

 

“Our work is about enabling community health workers to do their work effectively,” she explained. “It’s not just putting a phone in their hands, it is ensuring that the data collected is used for planning, decision-making, and improving health outcomes.”

Christine highlighted Living Goods’ DESC model—Digitally enabled, Equipped, Supervised, and Compensated CHPs—as the foundation for better immunization coverage, safer deliveries, reduced malaria, and improved childhood illness management.

The ceremony wasn’t just a formality. It was the start of a long-anticipated collaboration grounded in shared purpose and mutual accountability.

 

“We are honored to begin this partnership,” Christine concluded. “We confirm that we will deliver.”

 

A new chapter has begun for Bungoma and for the thousands of families whose well-being depends on a stronger, smarter community health system.