Healthcare services in Kenya are set to resume normal operations following the end of a protracted nationwide strike by clinical officers. The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) announced the suspension of the industrial action after successfully reaching an agreement with the government. The strike, which began on January 19, 2025, had severely disrupted the public healthcare system, leaving many Kenyans without access to essential medical services and forcing them to turn to expensive private healthcare providers.
The strike was sparked by long-standing grievances over unfulfilled government promises and what KUCO described as persistent discrimination and lack of recognition from state agencies. Central to the dispute was the demand for the immediate and unconditional recognition of clinical officers registered under the Clinical Officers Act No. 20 of 2017, which KUCO insisted was being flouted by the Social Health Authority (SHA). According to the union, SHA’s failure to recognize registered clinical officers and their facilities had effectively excluded them from offering services, undermining their professional standing and ability to serve patients under the national health framework.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa confirmed that a resolution had been reached during talks held at Afya House. Dr. Barasa emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation in strengthening the country’s healthcare sector and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to improving working conditions for clinical officers. She highlighted the agreement as a pivotal moment in Kenya’s ongoing effort to realize the goals of Taifa Care Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which aims to ensure that every Kenyan has access to affordable and quality healthcare.
Council of Governors Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi and other senior government officials witnessed the signing of the agreement, which marked the end of the industrial action. As part of the deal, clinical officers were instructed to resume duty within 24 hours. KUCO Chairperson Peterson Wachira acknowledged that the strike could have been avoided had there been greater government goodwill from the outset. He noted that the Ministry of Health had agreed to fast-track the implementation of key components of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), including the empanelment of clinical officers’ facilities and the reinstatement of pre-authorization rights by SHA for clinical officers and specialists.
The CBA also includes commitments to promote and re-designate clinical officers effective September 1, 2024, and provide comprehensive medical cover starting on the same date. Furthermore, all clinical officers employed under short-term contracts for UHC services are to be converted to permanent and pensionable terms, addressing concerns over job security and sustainability within the sector. The Ministry also pledged to implement the terms of the CBA within 60 days, offering a timeline that KUCO hopes will bring an end to years of marginalization and delayed reforms.
The strike’s resolution offers a reprieve for millions of Kenyans who have faced the brunt of the healthcare disruption. With clinical officers now returning to work, there is renewed hope for the restoration of vital medical services in public facilities. Both the union and government have expressed optimism that the agreement will usher in a new era of cooperation, ensuring that disputes are resolved amicably and that healthcare workers are given the support they need to serve the nation effectively.
