The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has officially called off its nationwide strike following successful negotiations with the Ministry of Health (MoH). This resolution comes after a meeting between union leaders and ministry officials, where both parties signed a return-to-work formula.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa confirmed the agreement, acknowledging the vital role clinical officers play in Kenya’s healthcare system. She emphasized that their concerns were valid and that the government remains committed to ensuring better working conditions for healthcare workers while maintaining uninterrupted service delivery to the public.
“Over the past few weeks, our clinical officers and the Ministry of Health have engaged in extensive and progressive consultations with all relevant stakeholders to find an amicable resolution to the issues at hand,” CS Barasa stated. “The strike has been called off following these negotiations, marking a significant step in strengthening our healthcare system through dialogue and mutual understanding.”
The return-to-work agreement addresses several key concerns raised by clinical officers, including their inclusion in the Social Health Authority (SHA) system and the implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Clinical officers had argued that their exclusion from the SHA system significantly hindered access to affordable healthcare for many Kenyans.
Barasa reassured clinical officers that their concerns will be addressed as part of the broader goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Taifa Care program. She emphasized the importance of engaging healthcare workers in shaping policies that improve service delivery, enhance working conditions, and strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
“I thank all clinical officers who have willingly resolved to resume duty with immediate effect and urge them to continue working towards building a resilient, patient-centered healthcare system,” she said. “My ministry remains committed to ensuring that both healthcare workers and the public receive the necessary support.”
The clinical officers’ strike, which began in January, had threatened to paralyze essential health services across the country. With the resolution now in place, healthcare services are expected to resume fully, bringing relief to patients who had been affected by the industrial action.
