The clinical officers' nationwide strike in Kenya has entered its 61st day, with eight counties yet to sign a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO). The strike, which began over 60 days ago, has seen 39 out of 47 counties sign the agreement. The eight counties that have not signed are Marsabit, Wajir, Kakamega, Lamu, Mandera, Isiolo, Vasin Gishu, and Baringo. KUCO National Chairman Peterson Wachira stated that some county governments are frustrating the process through intimidation of striking clinical officers and delays in implementing the agreement.
The CBA, which took eight years to negotiate, was signed in February, but its implementation has been slow. Wajir County, led by Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, who is also the chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG), has come under scrutiny from the union for failing to implement the agreement. Wachira accused the county of frustrating the process despite its governor being at the centre of the county leadership body. The union also raised concerns over Nairobi and Vihiga counties, accusing their officials of failing to participate in court-ordered meetings to help resolve the dispute.
The dispute has been accompanied by claims of intimidation and attacks against clinical officers in some counties. In Makueni, Wachira reported that goons attacked clinical officers during demonstrations, with seven women among those assaulted. In Murang'a, the union accused county officials of subjecting Universal Health Coverage workers who had already been confirmed on permanent and pensionable terms to suitability tests. The union has raised concerns over the welfare and safety of its members.
The Council of Governors has directed all counties to implement the agreement. CoG health committee chairman Abdulswammad Sharriff Nassir stated that the council would seek an explanation from the eight counties that had not complied with the directive. Nassir said the council had tasked its legal and human resources departments with preparing a report on the counties that had not followed the directive. The council's intervention aims to resolve the dispute.
The strike has highlighted wider employment concerns affecting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund workers. The union raised issues such as delays in securing permanent and pensionable contracts, promotions, risk allowances, and job grading. Wachira stated that about 98 Global Fund laboratory workers and clinical officers had not been moved to permanent and pensionable terms, despite some having worked since 2009.
The union has also raised concerns over the enhanced risk allowance contained in the CBA. Under the agreement, the allowance is scheduled to rise from Sh3,000 to Sh5,000 in the current financial year before increasing further to Sh7,000 next year. Wachira blamed the Ministry of Public Service for failing to change the payroll code required to facilitate payment of the increased allowance. The union demands full implementation of the CBA.
KUCO General Secretary George Gibore stated that clinical officers would remain away from work until the union's demands were fully addressed. Counties that had accepted the CBA and agreed to put it into effect, including Tana River, Taita-Taveta, Kwale, Nakuru, and West Pokot, had been allowed to resume services. The union emphasized that full implementation of the CBA remained the key requirement for ending the strike.
Key points
- Eight Kenyan counties have refused to sign a collective bargaining agreement, prolonging the 60-day clinical officers' strike.
- The strike has highlighted wider employment concerns affecting Universal Health Coverage and Global Fund workers.
- The Council of Governors has directed all counties to implement the agreement, and will seek explanations from non-compliant counties.
