By Eddah Waithaka
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) announced the suspension of its strike for the next 21 days, beginning Monday. This decision follows promising negotiations with the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), marking a hopeful step towards addressing critical issues such as salary harmonization and improved medical coverage for healthcare workers.
They initiated the strike on January 20 because of unresolved issues, including the need for salary harmonization, a comprehensive medical coverage plan, inadequate recruitment, and the permanent employment of staff involved in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund initiatives.
Negotiations kicked off on January 14, 2025, with a meeting between the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and the Council of Governors (CoG), during which several key resolutions were established.
The two sides reached an agreement on the empanelment and contracting of healthcare facilities and practitioners registered with the Clinical Officers’ Council Social Health Authority (SHA). Additionally, they decided to form a centralized County Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Negotiating Committee.
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KUCO General Secretary George Gibore stated that members in Kwale and Vihiga would persist with the strike due to unresolved, county-specific issues. Furthermore, the union pointed out that several other counties, including Kitui, Lamu, and Uasin Gishu, as well as establishments like Kenyatta National Hospital, are being monitored for their failure to fully implement previously agreed-upon measures.
Additionally, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who chairs the Human Resources, Labour, and Social Welfare Committee at the Council of Governors (CoG), urged for the suspension of the strike during a meeting on Tuesday. In response, KUCO’s Advisory Council convened to evaluate Sakaja’s assurances. However, the union cautioned that it would not hesitate to resume the strike if the counties and the national government do not meet its demands within a 21-day timeframe.
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