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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Crisis looms in the health sector as clinical officers begin strike

Health & Science

By Maryann Muganda | Feb 17, 2025

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers(KUCO) National Secretary General George Gibore addressing the media on the impending strike which will commence on 19/01/2025 countrywide following the government's insensitivity to their grievances. Looking on are National chairman Peterson Wachira (right) among other officials was at Ngong Hill hotel in Nairobi on 17/01/2024. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

A major healthcare crisis is unfolding across the country as clinical officers begin their nationwide strike at midnight tonight, with doctors in Kericho County set to follow suit in two weeks.

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) announced today the resumption of industrial action after failed negotiations with the Ministry of Health and Council of Governors (CoG).

"We wish to inform the public and all stakeholders of the resumption of industrial action, effective midnight today the 17th day of February, 2025," KUCO Secretary General George Gibore said during a press conference in Nairobi.

"This follows the failure of the Ministry of Health and Council of Governors to address our concerns and fulfill commitments made after our strike suspension 21 days ago."

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The strike will affect all public healthcare facilities, including national referral hospitals, potentially leaving thousands of patients without critical care services.

According to Gibore, the CoG requested a 21-day extension for Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations on February 14th but failed to address several key issues. These include the lack of scheduled CBA negotiation meetings and the non-absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent positions as previously agreed in the Return to Work Formula from July 2024.

Other unresolved grievances include: Non-dissemination of approved career guidelines for clinical officers to county governments, failed implementation of resolutions regarding contracting and payments through the Social Health Authority, lack of commitment to promote and re-designate clinical officers according to career guidelines.

“Failure to provide comprehensive medical cover for clinical officers, inadequate recruitment of clinical officers to support Universal Health Coverage under Taifa Care,” added the union boss Gibore.

The union also expressed strong objections to their exclusion from the ongoing Health Summit at the Deputy President's residence, where crucial healthcare reforms are being discussed without key stakeholder input.

"This exclusionary approach has resulted in discriminatory policies affecting healthcare professionals and patients' benefits," Gibore said.

"A summit lacking broad and inclusive stakeholder engagement cannot result in progressive and meaningful health policy reforms."

Meanwhile, in Kericho County, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a 14-day strike notice set to begin on March 3rd if their demands regarding the implementation of a 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement are not met.

"We have given the county enough time, and we now think it is time for them to act. We will be withdrawing our services from March 3rd at midnight," said the KMPDU Kericho branch secretary.