Clinical officers suspend strike temporarily

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has announced a temporary suspension of its ongoing strike for 21 days following discussions with the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The decision, announced by KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore, aims to provide time for resolving outstanding issues while allowing healthcare services to resume in affected counties. 

Speaking in Nairobi, Gibore highlighted significant strides made on key grievances, including the full recognition of facilities and clinical officers by the Social Health Authority (SHA). Additionally, the posting of interns has been fully addressed. 

“We have agreed to give county governments time to resolve the remaining issues,” Gibore said.

“The 21 days begin on Monday when the newly established negotiation team will start its work. Within this period, we expect to finalize pending clauses in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and address issues such as the transition of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to permanent and pensionable terms.” 

The negotiations stemmed from a meeting held on January 14, where the CoG committed to forming a centralized team to negotiate the CBA for clinical officers across Kenya’s 47 counties. Key resolutions also included measures to integrate facilities previously excluded from SHA’s e-contracting platform. 

The industrial action, which began on January 20, paralyzed healthcare services in multiple counties. Clinical officers cited grievances such as delayed promotions, inadequate staffing, non-payment of allowances, and failure to fully implement the CBA. KUCO also demanded the absorption of staff under UHC and Global Fund programs into permanent employment. 

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Public healthcare facilities across the country struggled to provide services during the strike, with patients bearing the brunt of the disruptions. 

While KUCO’s decision to suspend the strike was welcomed, Gibore clarified that members in Kwale, Vihiga, Uasin Gishu, and Lamu counties would continue industrial action due to unresolved county-specific challenges. “We will not call off the strike in these counties until their issues are fully addressed,” he said. 

Additionally, the union put other counties, including Kakamega, Bungoma, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Kisumu, and Homa Bay, on notice for failing to implement previous agreements. Institutions like Kenyatta National Hospital were also criticized for punitive employment terms. 

“These counties have not adhered to the return-to-work formula. We will issue them a seven- to 14-day notice to resolve these issues, failing which we will escalate industrial action,” Gibore said.  

Gibore commended counties such as Nairobi, Murang’a, and Machakos for partially implementing agreements and making tangible efforts to resolve grievances. However, he emphasized that none had fully complied with the return-to-work terms. 

Despite the suspension of the strike, KUCO remains firm in its resolve to advocate for clinical officers’ rights. “We will closely monitor the government’s progress in fulfilling its commitments. If the 21-day deadline lapses without tangible results, we will reinstate the strike,” Gibore said.