After challenging negotiations that almost spanned a decade, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) together with the Council of Governors has sealed the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that both has been eagerly awaited and represents the pinnacle of a milestone in Kenyas health sector on its part.
The 4, year agreement CBA expected to run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029, sets an exciting array of employee benefits for clinical officers, hence career progression and promotions, workforce revitalization, job security, and payment of salary arrears. Among other issues it addresses, the agreement also tactfully deals with labor issues that have remained unresolved for years such as permanent employment for staff transitioned from Universal Health Coverage (UHC), salary harmonization, and well, organized promotion systems.
At the signing event, Council of Governors CEO Mary Mwiti acknowledged the delay in signing the pact which the parties attributed mainly to lack of money. Mwiti said the deal was a sign of the parties good intentions, with certain matters, especially salary arrears, to be dealt with in the following financial year after being put in the budget.
This agreement marks the culmination of the union and the government agreeing on the formula to facilitate the return to work after the 36, day health workers industrial action which lasted for 36 days led to the breakdown of the health services.
