The union representing clinical officers in Kenya has once again raised alarm over what it describes as continued neglect of issues affecting its members.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has sent out a new warning, saying it is running out of patience after months of waiting for promises that have not been fulfilled.
According to the union, commitments made in earlier negotiations have not been honoured, and the situation has now reached a point where industrial action is becoming unavoidable.
In its latest communication, the union explained that it had issued a fresh strike notice because the Ministry of Health and several county governments have failed to respond to long-standing grievances.
KUCO Secretary General George Gibore said they have been raising these concerns for years, yet very little progress has been made.
He noted that the warning should not come as a surprise because the unresolved issues have been piling up despite repeated attempts to find a peaceful solution.
Gibore stated that clinical officers will stop working in 21 days if nothing changes, with the strike expected to begin on Monday, December 22.
He stressed that this step is not something the union takes lightly, but the members feel cornered by a system that has ignored their welfare for too long.
According to him, the union has tried dialogue, written letters, held meetings, and pushed for formal agreements, but the response from authorities has remained slow or completely absent.
One of the major concerns highlighted by KUCO is the failure by the Ministry of Health to sign the Collective Bargaining Agreement, even after the two sides reached a return-to-work agreement on July 24, 2023.
The CBA is important because it provides a structured way to address salaries, benefits, and working conditions for clinical officers.
Without the ministry’s signature, the agreement cannot be registered, and this means the commitments made in the document cannot be enforced. Gibore pointed out that this delay has caused frustration and has left many clinical officers feeling that their efforts and sacrifices are not being appreciated.
The union also raised issues with several county governments, accusing them of refusing to implement the revised pay structure that was recommended by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Some counties have not adjusted the salaries as required, while others have not paid the arrears that accumulated as a result of the delayed implementation.
According to KUCO, this has made life difficult for many clinical officers who continue to serve in busy facilities without receiving the compensation they are entitled to.
