Clinicians issue 14-day strike notice over unresolved issues

Clinical officers have issued a 14-day strike notice over a number of unresolved grievances.

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) said they will go on strike from January 19, 2025, over “unresolved issues past the agreed timelines and lack of goodwill from governments and state agencies.”

The union officials led by the SG George Gibore and the national chairperson Peterson Wachira however noted that in the intervening period, they remain available for a constructive social dialogue with the government and other key stakeholders for an amicable settlement of the dispute.

“The union has now resolved to invoke Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya, read together with the relevant provisions of the law, and call for a strike commencing after the midnight of January 19, 2025, until all the outstanding issues are adequately resolved,” Gibore said.

Gibore demanded immediate and unconditional recognition and empanelment of health providers and practitioners registered and licensed by the Clinical Officers Council as provided under the Clinical Officers Act No. 20 of 2017.

He further said the Social Health Authority Board should immediately reinstate pre-authorisation rights to clinical officers including specialists.

He additionally demanded full implementation of the Return-to-Work Agreement between the union and employers (ministry of Health and 47 county governments) before January 19, 2025.

He noted that the specific provisions of the Return-To-Work Agreement were a collective bargaining agreement- 60 days from the date of signing, promotions and re-designations from September 1, 2024, comprehensive medical cover from September 1, 2-24, and confirmation of UHC clinical officers into permanent and pensionable terms and conversion of all short-term contractual employment for clinical officers into permanent and pensionable terms.

The union decried discrimination by the Social Health Authority “which has in effect excluded all clinical officers from offering services through SHA.”

“This discrimination and exclusion has been occasioned by the blatant, illegal and illogical refusal by SHA to recognise the facilities and practitioners registered and licensed by Clinical Officers Council,” it said.

“Many Kenyans have suffered and continue to suffer due to lack of critical services offered by clinical officers across the country with most of them paying out-of-pocket exposing them to financial hardships against SHA and UGC objectives,” Gibore added.

The strike notice was issued to Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Health CS Deborah Barasa, Labour and Social Protection CS Alfred Mutua, Council of Governor chair Ahmed Abdullahi, Health PS Harry Kimtai, Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The notice has since been stamped as received by the ministries of Health and Labour, CoG and KNH.