The Council of Governors has called on clinical officers to resume work as discussions on their grievances are ongoing.
Speaking Monday, Health Committee Chairperson Governor Muthomi Njuki said the empanelment of clinical officers into the Social Health Authority (SHA) has been addressed.
He asked the officers to return to duty to facilitate universal health coverage in level two and three facilities.
“We request all clinical officers who have downed their tools to go back to work. Leaving clinical officers out of SHA empanelment means patients will have to start treatment at level four. This has been resolved now,” said Njuki.
Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai confirmed that resolutions would take effect later in the day, urging clinical officers to engage in dialogue.
“Resolutions regarding clinical officers will be implemented starting this afternoon. We request the clinical officers through their council to come to our offices for further discussions,” noted Kimtai.
Governor Johnson Sakaja, chair of the council’s Human Resource Committee, said the council is committed to honouring the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and ensuring clinical officers are lawfully impaneled.
- Nakhumicha calls for review of doctors CBA as strike bites
- Clinical officers begin strike as crisis in health sector worsens
- Clinical officers are first point of call for patients
- Clinical officers blame governors as talks collapse
Keep Reading
The clinical officers’ strike, which began at midnight on Friday, January 19, follows the government’s failure to honour the CBA.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) had earlier announced the strike, asking Kenyans to seek health services elsewhere.
“The leadership of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers wishes to inform Kenyans that the planned strike action will kick off after midnight of today the 19th day of January 2025,” KUCO said.
The nationwide strike is expected to affect level five and six facilities and other county health centers.