Clinical officers announce nationwide strike over unmet agreement

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has announced a nationwide strike set to begin at midnight on January 19, citing a breach of the Return to Work Formula agreement signed in July 2024.

KUCO Secretary General George Gibore said the strike is necessitated by what he termed as a lack of goodwill from the national and county governments, as well as state agencies, in implementing the agreement’s terms.

“In view of these issues remaining unresolved past the agreed timelines and owing to lack of goodwill from the Governments and responsible State Agencies, the Union has now resolved to invoke Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya… to call for a strike commencing after the midnight of 19th January 2025 until all the outstanding issues are adequately resolved,” Gibore said.

The deal in question included a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) meant to take effect on September 1, 2024.

Among its key provisions were promotions and re-designations for clinical officers, the provision of comprehensive medical cover, and the confirmation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) clinical officers into permanent and pensionable terms.

It also included converting all short-term contracts into permanent positions following consultations between the Council of Governors and the Ministry of Health.

Gibore expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s failure to act despite repeated efforts by KUCO to seek redress.

“We have done numerous letters and petitions to all concerned offices over the past two months, including a Memorandum to the President, Petition to Senate and National Assembly, Ministry of Health, and Social Health Authority, without any response,” he said.

The union also highlighted the need for immediate recognition and empanelment of health providers and practitioners registered by the Clinical Officers Council, as outlined in the Clinical Officers Act No. 20 of 2017 (Rev. 2019).

Clinical officers are further protesting their exclusion from the Social Health Authority (SHA), which they claim has hindered their ability to deliver services effectively.

“This discrimination and exclusion has been occasioned by the blatant, illegal, and illogical refusal by the Social Health Authority to recognise the facilities and practitioners registered and licensed by the Clinical Officers Council. Many Kenyans have suffered and continue to suffer due to the lack of critical services offered by Clinical Officers across the country, with most of them paying out-of-pocket, exposing them to financial hardships against SHA and UHC objectives,” Gibore said.

He further alleged that clinical officers are being coerced to license their facilities with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to secure contracts, a practice he described as illegal and burdensome.

“Specialised Clinical Officers are being forced to use KMPDC license numbers from Medical Officers for pre-authorisation, which is illegal and has resulted in extortion,” he said.

Despite the planned industrial action, KUCO said they remain open to dialogue to resolve the dispute.

“In the intervening period, we remain available for constructive social dialogue with the Government and other key stakeholders for an amicable settlement of the issues in dispute,” the secretary general said.

The strike threatens to disrupt health services across the country unless the government addresses the union’s demands.