A major healthcare crisis is unfolding across the country as clinical officers begin their nationwide strike at midnight tonight, with doctors in Kericho County set to follow suit in two weeks.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) announced today the resumption of industrial action after failed negotiations with the Ministry of Health and Council of Governors (CoG). "We wish to inform the public and all stakeholders of the resumption of industrial action, effective midnight today the 17th day of February, 2025," KUCO Secretary General George Gibore said during a press conference in Nairobi. "This follows the failure of the Ministry of Health and Council of Governors to address our concerns and fulfill commitments made after our strike suspension 21 days ago." The strike will affect all public healthcare facilities, including national referral hospitals, potentially leaving thousands of patients without critical care services. .Keep ReadingCrisis looms as clinical interns down toolsWhy clinical officers want SHA board disbandedHealthcare crisis set to worsen as medics stand firm on demandsGovernors urge clinical officers to end strikeAccording to Gibore, the CoG requested a 21-day extension for Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations on February 14th but failed to address several key issues.
These include the lack of scheduled CBA negotiation meetings and the non-absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent positions as previously agreed in the Return to Work Formula from July 2024.
Other unresolved grievances include: Non-dissemination of approved career guidelines for clinical officers to county governments, failed implementation of resolutions regarding contracting and payments through the Social Health Authority, lack of commitment to promote and re-designate clinical officers according to career guidelines. "Failure to provide comprehensive medical cover for clinical officers, inadequate recruitment of clinical officers to support Universal Health Coverage under Taifa Care," added the union boss Gibore.
