Clinical officers’ union calls off strike at MTRH after return-to-work deal

Clinical officers at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) have called off their strike following the signing of a return-to-work agreement with the hospital management.

The agreement was signed after negotiations between MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Phillip Kirwa and the Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), George Gibore, aimed at addressing issues raised by the union.

In a notice to members, Gibore said the union had suspended its industrial action at the hospital in the interest of service continuity and patient care.

“Pursuant to the Return-to-Work Agreement signed between KUCO and MTRH, and in the interest of service continuity and patient care, KUCO hereby suspends its industrial action at the hospital,” the notice stated.

Gibore said all KUCO members employed at MTRH had been directed to resume duty within 24 hours and not later than 48 hours after the signing of the agreement.

The strike by clinical officers at the hospital began on December 23, 2025, with the union raising concerns related to welfare and work conditions, including the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Gibore said the union would closely monitor the implementation of the agreement and expected the hospital management to honour the commitments outlined in it.

He added that any cases of alleged victimisation or unfair treatment arising from the suspension of the strike should be reported to the union.

He also commended the MTRH management for engaging in dialogue to resolve the dispute, noting that the strike had affected service delivery at the facility.

While the strike at MTRH has ended, KUCO has maintained that its national industrial action remains ongoing.

The union has called on the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors to engage in dialogue to address issues raised by clinical officers at the national level.

The union is seeking the signing and implementation of a collective bargaining agreement agreed upon in 2023, the implementation of previously signed return-to-work formulas, and the absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers into permanent and pensionable terms.

KUCO is also seeking the inclusion of its facilities in the Social Health Authority (SHA) system, payment of dues owed to interns, salary and allowance adjustments, and recognition of the role of clinical officers in healthcare delivery.

Dr Kirwa welcomed the end of the strike, saying it had disrupted service delivery at the hospital.

“We value the contribution made by all workers to service delivery, and that is why we take issues concerning their welfare seriously,” he said.