Machakos clinicians have called off a planned strike just two hours before it was set to begin at midnight on Saturday.
This comes after a last-minute agreement signed between the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and the Machakos County Government, addressing long-standing issues affecting healthcare workers.
The agreement was signed on Friday evening at Machakos Level 5 Hospital, it outlined reforms aimed at improving the welfare of clinical officers.
Among the key resolutions were the long-overdue promotion of clinical officers stuck in the same job groups, implementation of salary adjustments, and an overall enhancement of working conditions.
“This is a major win for health workers and residents of Machakos County,” said KUCO National Chairperson Peterson Wachira. “Machakos has become the first county to fully implement the career progression guidelines for clinical officers, which is a milestone for us.”
The agreement comes after a protracted seven-month negotiation process, following a court order that had earlier directed the union to resume duty while engaging in structured dialogue with the county.
KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore welcomed the deal, noting it addressed core grievances such as job stagnation and pay disparities. “We are satisfied that this deal, signed just hours before the strike, resolves most of the key issues we raised,” Gibore stated. “The county has committed to implementing these changes in line with our career guidelines.”
Machakos County Secretary Muia Ndambuki praised the breakthrough, calling it a critical moment for the county’s healthcare sector. “This is a significant step forward. The governor has shown unwavering support for the health agenda, which is a central pillar of her manifesto,” he noted. “We can now focus on delivering uninterrupted healthcare services to our people.”
KUCO has pledged to present the signed agreement in court as proof of compliance, marking a formal end to the dispute.
With the resolution now in place, attention shifts to the implementation of the agreed-upon measures and the long-term stability of healthcare services in the region.
