The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has officially called off its strike, which had halted operations at public hospitals, as announced on Monday, July 8.
This decision follows successful negotiations with the Council of Governors (CoG) and the signing of a return-to-work agreement overseen by Muthomi Njuki, Chairperson of the Council’s Health Committee and Tharaka Nithi Governor.
Accordingly, all clinical officers have been instructed to resume their duties immediately, with a deadline of 24 hours from the strike’s cessation.
“We initiated our strike on April 1, and today, through signing this return-to-work agreement, we officially declare its end,” said KUCO.
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The strike’s conclusion comes shortly after President William Ruto established a Presidential Taskforce on Addressing Human Resources for Health, with KUCO represented by Jacinta Rwamba, the organization’s National Gender Secretary.
The strike posed a significant threat to Kenya’s healthcare sector, where clinical officers play a crucial role in delivering primary healthcare services.
According to the Ministry of Health, clinical officers manage 99 percent of outpatient clinical services.
During the strike, clinical officers demanded the implementation of a 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between healthcare workers and the Ministry of Health.
Negotiations faced delays initially, with the Council of Governors disputing their involvement in the CBA.
Eventually, both parties agreed to negotiate, culminating in the CoG signing the return-to-work agreement.
