The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has agreed to suspend its ongoing strike for 21 days starting Monday, following progress in discussions with the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The strike, which began on January 20, 2025, was driven by demands for salary harmonization, comprehensive medical cover, increased recruitment, and the absorption of staff under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund programs into permanent employment.
Negotiations between KUCO and the CoG commenced on January 14, 2025, yielding significant resolutions. Key among them was the empanelment and contracting of facilities and practitioners registered under the Clinical Officers’ Council Social Health Authority (SHA).
Additionally, the two parties agreed to establish a centralized County Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Negotiating Committee.
Despite the suspension, KUCO General Secretary George Gibore announced that clinical officers in Vihiga and Kwale counties would continue striking due to unresolved county-specific issues. Other counties, including Kitui, Lamu, and Uasin Gishu, as well as institutions like Kenyatta National Hospital, remain under review due to incomplete implementation of previous agreements.
KUCO’s decision to suspend the strike followed CoG’s commitment to remind the MoH about transitioning UHC and Global Fund staff.
Public healthcare services nationwide were disrupted during the week-long industrial action as KUCO pushed for its demands. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Chairperson of the Human Resources, Labour, and Social Welfare Committee at the CoG, had earlier appealed for the suspension of the strike during a Tuesday meeting.
Following assurances from Sakaja, KUCO’s Advisory Council convened to deliberate and ultimately agreed to suspend the strike temporarily. However, the union cautioned that it would reinstate the strike if the government and counties failed to fulfill their promises within the 21-day period.
KUCO General Secretary Gibore reaffirmed the union’s commitment to improving working conditions and protecting the rights of clinical officers. “We remain steadfast in ensuring the welfare of our members is prioritized while delivering quality healthcare to Kenyans,” he stated.
