The strike by clinical officers in Kenya has entered its 60th day, with 15 counties still fully on strike. The officers are demanding the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which was negotiated for eight years and approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). According to George Gibore, secretary general of Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), some county governors have refused to sign the document, leading to the ongoing strike.
The CBA aims to enhance risk allowance implementation for every clinical officer in every county. It also provides for facilitation between the Ministry of Public Service's department that runs payrolls to coding to accommodate the extra amount allocated to clinical officers. However, Gibore claims that the Ministry has not done so, despite the return-to-work formula that clearly provided the timeline. He also accused Dr Jane Imbunya, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development, of being adamant without communicating the reason for her inaction.
Gibore stated that some counties, including Migori, Machakos, Makueni, Lamu, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Trans-Nzoia, Vihiga, and Busia, have not paid allowances dating back to the 2021-2022 financial year, despite SRC approval. Some counties have also not transitioned contract-based UHC staff by issuing them letters of permanent and pensionable terms. Instead, some counties have issued directives to their members to undergo interviews, which Gibore described as unnecessary and corrupt.
The Council of Governors (CoG) has been accused of not having a proper agreement with the Ministry of Health regarding service gratuity, which is supposed to be paid by the Ministry. KUCO national chairman Peterson Wachira claimed that counties are making money out of the strike through locum engagement, thus pilfering taxpayers' money. He called upon the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Auditor General to audit these counties.
Wachira stated that some counties, like Nairobi and Vihiga, have court orders that gave them timelines to implement the CBA but have failed to do so due to greed for money. He accused these counties of disenfranchising people and watching them die while enjoying their loot. Austine Oduor, KUCO deputy secretary general, said the failure of counties to sign the CBA has caused some to employ clinical officers without using SRC guidelines, who end up being paid peanuts.
The strike has been ongoing since July 20, with 11 counties having initially signed the CBA. However, 38 counties have now signed the agreement, but implementation remains a challenge. Gibore blamed county governors, including those of Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Uasin Gishu, Lamu, and Baringo, for not signing the document.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has expressed frustration with the situation, citing section 60 of the Labour Relations Act, which provides timelines for signing the CBA. The union is demanding that the counties implement the agreement to address the issues affecting clinical officers. The strike is likely to continue until the counties agree to sign and implement the CBA.
Key points
- 15 Kenyan counties are still on strike over the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
- The strike has been ongoing since July 20 and has entered its 60th day.
- County governors have been accused of making money out of the strike through locum engagement and pilfering taxpayers' money.
