Clinical officers resume strike over unmet demands

Clinical officers hold peaceful demonstrations outside Afya House on March 5. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Clinical officers have once again downed their tools.

The officers staged protests outside Afya House in Nairobi on Wednesday, over unresolved grievances.

The issues raised include the non-implementation of the 2024 return-to-work formula and the exclusion of members from the Social Health Authority (SHA).

"They have denied clinical officers the rights to access health services and shown favoritism as they implement the Social Health Laws." Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Chairperson Peter Wachira said.

The strike comes a month after KUCO suspended an earlier industrial action for 21 days following negotiations with the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health (MoH).

KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore announced the decision, explaining that the suspension aimed to allow time for resolving outstanding issues while ensuring healthcare services resumed in affected counties.

"We have agreed to give county governments time to resolve the remaining issues," Gibore said. "The 21 days begin on Monday when the newly established negotiation team will start its work. Within this period, we expect to finalize pending clauses in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and address issues such as the transition of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to permanent and pensionable terms."

Despite suspending the strike, KUCO maintained a firm stance on advocating for clinical officers' rights.

"We will closely monitor the government's progress in fulfilling its commitments. If the 21-day deadline lapses without tangible results, we will reinstate the strike," Gibore warned.

With the deadline now expired, the officers have returned to the streets, demanding the delayed posting of interns, the absorption and payment of gratuity for UHC staff, and an end to the discrimination and exclusion of clinical officers from SHA.