Marsabit clinical officers return to work after county agrees to meet their demands

Clinical officers in Marsabit County have agreed to return to work after striking an agreement with the county government that will see their grievances addressed in phases.

Their strike that lasted for several months caused a major paralysis across health facilities in the vast county, exposing patients to inexplicable suffering.

The workers dropped their hard stance following a meeting between their officials and the County Secretary earlier this week where the county gave a commitment to address their concerns.

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Marsabit branch Secretary Abdi Shukri Duba, during an interview with Radio Jangwani FM, revealed that they had resolved to resume work following Monday's deliberations.

Among their demands were delayed payment of their salaries, promotion and redesignation of their members who had furthered their studies, non-remittance of their statutory deductions and provision of comprehensive medical cover.

An idea for the county to collaborate with local banks in event of late disbursements from the National Treasury for timely payment of the workers salaries was mooted at the meeting where the county committed to pay the pending last November on or before September 1 salary.

The county, the workers lamented, rarely notified whenever delayed payment of their salaries was imminent.

Abdi said the county assured them that all their members will be put on comprehensive medical cover starting September 1, 2024.

"We also agreed that a committee with KUCO, Health and Finance departments and County Public Service Board be formed in a week to come up with an implementation matrix for promotions and come up with the costs," the official said.

The workers also demanded, during the meeting, that replacements for retiring clinical officers be done within three months to ensure seamless service provision.

"We will also hold a meeting in the near future to address poor representation of clinical officers," he noted.

Abdi on Thursday revealed that the majority of their members had resumed their workstations safe for those traveling longer distances.

"By tomorrow (Friday) all our members will be back to work," he said, adding that they will undertake regular follow-ups to ensure the agreement is strictly complied with, within the given timelines.