Duale accuses politicians of hijacking clinical officers’ protests, says most protesters are not clinicians
Duale said the government has largely met welfare commitments and only final steps remain.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has accused political leaders of using clinical officers’ protests to advance personal agendas, saying most of the demonstrators at Afya House are not healthcare workers.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview with Citizen TV, Duale said the government has largely met welfare commitments and only final steps remain.
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His remarks come after clinical officers staged a protest at Afya House on Tuesday, demanding the implementation of a long-pending welfare agreement and the formalisation of their employment status. They accused the Health Ministry of delaying implementation despite having concluded negotiations and submitted the necessary documents in September 2025.
“We have said we shall not rest until our demands are met,” the Union leader said.
However, Duale defended the delay, noting that the agreements must consider clinicians working at the national government and those at the county level.
“Health is devolved. We must work together with the Council of Governors. If you saw the people demonstrating today, barely 50 were healthcare workers. Many are not. Leaders are turning a noble workforce into a tool for their own games,” Duale said.
He accused the union leadership of dishonesty, noting that he maintains an open-door policy with union officials and has engaged all relevant stakeholders.
“I have an open-door policy with both the chairman and the secretary general. I have engaged all stakeholders, including the private sector and faith-based health facilities. Confrontation is not a tool to solve social issues like healthcare,” he said.
He also noted that the government has largely addressed the longstanding welfare issues affecting clinical officers, adding that interns have been posted as agreed, and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff, including clinicians, are now earning salaries at the rates set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). He said the only pending issue for UHC staff is transitioning to permanent and pensionable terms.
“They are earning SRC rates. The President has directed funds for their absorption. The remaining step is payroll transition through the division of revenue and county allocations. This will be resolved once the Council of Governors and National Treasury finalise a solution. But currently, they are receiving the same salaries as agreed; permanent terms are the last step,” he said.
“As the Health Cabinet Secretary, I have resolved the long-standing industrial dispute in our healthcare sector. I have posted interns at the rate agreed upon in consultation with the National Treasury and the Presidency. UHC staff, including clinicians, are now earning at SRC rates. The remaining step is to agree on permanent and pensionable terms, and this requires a summit with the Council of Governors.”
The Union has, however, maintained that both the Treasury and SRC had complied with the agreement and urged the Health Ministry to do the same.
“We feel discriminated against, and the Ministry does not recognise or appreciate our work, which is why we are here,” they added.
The demonstrators emphasised that their protest aims to compel the Ministry to sign the agreement and formalise employment terms for clinical officers, highlighting their critical role in delivering universal health coverage.
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