Thousands of clinical officers across Kenya are preparing for a nationwide strike starting Monday unless their grievances over pay, staffing and working conditions are addressed, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers warned in a strongly-worded press release.
The union, which represents all of Kenya’s clinical officers, issued an eight-point list of demands and said the strike would begin if they are not met within seven days. This sets the stage for a potential crisis in Kenya’s public health system.
“We hereby demand the National Government and Council of Governors finalize and register our Collective Bargaining Agreement in court within the next seven days,” said George Gibore, General Secretary of the union, in the statement. “They must also immediately issue letters promoting and redesignating all deserving clinical officers.”
The union accused the government of repeatedly failing to implement previous agreements aimed at resolving long-running disputes over salaries, staffing levels, internship programs and employment contracts.
“Numerous industrial actions have ensued, resulting in the signing of several return-to-work formulas, none of which have been implemented,” the statement said. “The government has shown contempt by failing to resume court-ordered negotiations.”
Among other demands, the union wants the government to recruit over 20,000 new clinical officers to address staffing shortages, make temporary contracts permanent, approve career guidelines and provide comprehensive medical coverage.
