Clinical officers announce nationwide strike over unresolved issues
Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has announced the resumption of its strike, effective at midnight on February 17, 2025, due to the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors failing to address unresolved issues.
These include progress in Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, enhanced medical coverage, and the implementation of career guidelines, which have now resulted in fresh disruptions to public healthcare services.
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KUCO had initially suspended industrial action 21 days ago following assurances from the relevant authorities that the union's concerns would be addressed.
In a statement, KUCO emphasised the lack of progress in Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.
"We received a letter from the Council of Governors, dated February 14, 2025, requesting a 21-day extension for CBA negotiations, but several critical issues were omitted, such as the scheduling of the next CBA meeting and the commitment to absorb Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent and pensionable positions," KUCO said.
The union stressed that these omissions have forced them to resume the strike, which now affects all public healthcare facilities, including national referral hospitals.
KUCO also called attention to the Ministry of Health's failure to implement resolutions made in a meeting held on January 14, 2025.
"The resolutions from the meeting regarding contracting, empanelling of facilities, and payment of related benefits to licensed facilities and practitioners by the Clinical Officers Council through the Social Health Authority (SHA) have not been implemented," KUCO stated.
Additionally, the union expressed disappointment that Career Guidelines for Clinical Officers had not been disseminated to county governments, despite formal requests, including a letter dated January 31, 2025.
The union also raised serious concerns regarding the ongoing Health Summit at the Deputy President's residence.
KUCO claimed the summit is being held without proper representation from key stakeholders in healthcare.
"KUCO and other key healthcare representatives have been deliberately excluded, leading to decisions that risk maintaining the status quo rather than driving meaningful reforms," KUCO stated.
Addressing additional concerns, KUCO pointed out the lack of comprehensive medical cover for clinical officers and inadequate recruitment of staff to fill existing gaps necessary for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
"The failure to provide adequate medical cover and to recruit enough clinical officers to bridge service gaps jeopardises the delivery of healthcare services across the country," the union added.
KUCO has called on employers to take immediate action to resolve these long-standing issues.
"We remain open to meaningful and constructive dialogue aimed at addressing these grievances for the benefit of both our members and the public," the statement concluded.
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