Clinical officers end three months strike

By Peter Ochieng

Clinical officers have finally called off their strike, which lasted three months.

The officers, through their union, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) have been on a nationwide strike for 99 days.

However, the strike is now water under the bridge, following the signing of a return-to-work agreement with the Council of Governors (CoG), with KUCO Secretary General George Gibore directing all clinical officers to resume work with immediate effect.

"We began our strike on April 1, after a seven-day strike notice, which was issued on March 25, and we have been on strike until today and by virtue of signing this return to work we are officially declaring that our strike has come to an end and our members shall resume duty in their respective places of work, starting today, and not later than 24 hours from the date herein," said Gibore.

Clinical officers settled on industrial action as a means of having their concerns acted upon by, the government. Their grievances included career progression guarantees citing stagnation since 2013, confirmation of officers employed on contracts and recruitment of additional 20, 000 officers across the country.

In addition, KUCO officials demanded that the Ministry of Health adhere to the 2020 approved internship staff establishment guidelines, and the approval of career progression guidelines for clinical officers among others.

“The issue has been implementation and prioritization; that there are no resources even to put the healthcare workers in a comprehensive medical cover that can guarantee them the medical services that they offer and that is the reason why we are still on strike at this time,” Gibore added.

Tharaka Nithi governor Muthomi Njuki who doubles up as chairman of the health committee in the Council of Governos assured officers who were on strike will be victimized. “We are in this as a team. It is not a partial agreement,” he assured.