Clinical officers across the country will down their tools starting midnight on Monday, December 22, after talks with the government failed to resolve long-running disputes over pay, promotions and working conditions.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) said the strike comes after the lapse of a 21-day strike notice, accusing both the Ministry of Health and county governments of dragging their feet on key commitments.
At the centre of the standoff is a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that was finalised in August 2025 but has yet to be signed and implemented. The union is also demanding the payment of backdated promotions, some of which have stalled for years.
KUCO has further raised concerns over the fate of staff hired under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme and the Global Fund, calling for their absorption into permanent and pensionable terms. In some counties, the union says salary arrears have piled up to as much as 16 months.
Other demands include formal recognition of clinical officers under the Social Health Authority (SHA), restoration of pre-authorisation rights for clinical specialists, and the implementation of risk, house and commuter allowances.
Clinical officers are a critical part of Kenya’s healthcare system, providing close to 99 per cent of outpatient services, particularly at primary healthcare level. With the strike taking effect, services at Levels 2 to 5 public health facilities are expected to be severely disrupted.
Patients seeking maternal care, emergency services, routine outpatient treatment and disease control services are likely to be affected. Clinical interns will also stay away from work, a move that will disrupt training programmes and ongoing medical education across the country.
KUCO officials said efforts to avert the strike collapsed after what they described as repeated delays and lack of goodwill from the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors. While the National Treasury addressed some financial issues, the union said only a small portion of its 19 demands had been met.
The strike is protected by court orders, which bar the harassment or intimidation of union members taking part in the industrial action.
KUCO has directed its members to remain off duty until a formal agreement is signed and all agreed issues are fully implemented, setting the stage for a fresh test of the country’s already strained public health system.
