Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Secretary General Dr. George Gibore together with the National Chairman Dr. Peterson Wachira addressing the Press today at Upper hill garden Nairobi, the Union headquarters. Photo: Benard Mulwa.
By Benard Mulwa
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has declared of imminent commencement of a National strike starting on April 1st 2024. The announcement was made today by the Union Secretary General Dr. George Gibore together with the National Chairman Dr. Peterson Wachira at Upper hill garden, the Union headquarters.
The strike action comes after a prolonged neglected by the government in addressing critical issues affecting Clinical Officers, which directly hinder deliverance of quality of healthcare services and undermines the achievement of Universal Health care (UHC) a key government agenda in the health sector.
Addressing the press, the Union Secretary General Dr. George Gibore together with the National Chairman Dr. Peterson Wachira said “the issues raised in our strike notice are fundamental and could have been resolved with a week, for instance, negotiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) have been ongoing since2017 without any meaningful progress,” adding that the negotiation period spanning two life cycles of a CBA, is a clear statement to the lack of commitment from the government’s side despite court orders mandating engagement and resolution.
Central to the Union’s demands is the immediate issuance of confirmation letters for permanent and pensionable positions to various categories of healthcare staff, the statement reads in part including the UHC and COVID-19 response team among others.
“The council of Governors (COG) has repeatedly failed to cooperate, leaving us with no recourse but to escalate our action”, adding that, while the Ministry of Health has indicated budgetary readiness, the Council of Governor’s refusal to provide concurrence has stalled progress and on the other hand insisting extension of Universal Health Care contracts under punitive terms.
Additionally, the Union Secretary General Dr. George Gibore together with the National Chairman Dr. Peterson Wachira told journalist that are protesting the systemic flagrant disregard of Public Service Commission (PSC) Human Resource Manual by both the Ministry of Health and County governments, resulting in the stagnation of career progression for majority Clinical Officers, “as a matter of facts, some have not seen promotion since devolution began,” Dr. George Gibore said, Kirinyaga county government stands as a stark example. Shockingly, it is the same county where the reinstatement of dismissed 47 Clinical Officers, as ordered by the Public Service Commission remains unfulfilled.
Dr. Peterson Wachira, the Union National Chairman said they demand the immediate recruitment of over twenty thousand qualified Clinical Officers to address existing staff shortages, in line with the government’s commitment to improving healthcare coverage, “it is our position that the Ministry of Health adheres to 2020 approved internship staff establishment guidelines by the Public Service Commission, disregarding disruptive advisories from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) that threatens sector stability,” adding that the Union also call for the expeditious approval of Career Progression Guidelines for Clinical Officers, provision of comprehensive medical cover for all serving clinical officers and compliance with previous issued demands letters, all of which have been met with disregard by the government,” Dr. Wachira said in his statement.
The Union top leadership said as of midnight tonight, services at 4172 level 2, 1217 level 3, 3367 level 4 and 14 level 5 facilities will be disrupted as all clinical services come to a halt.