Clinicians in Machakos County have issued a seven-day strike notice after the county government failed to honour a return-to-work agreement.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) says its members were left waiting for hours at Machakos Level 5 Hospital for a planned signing meeting, only for no county official to show up.
“We were told the agreement was ready and only needed to be signed. But since 2pm, we’ve been waiting and no one from the county has appeared, this shows lack of goodwill”.
“If nothing changes in seven days, we will withdraw all clinical officers from county hospitals.” said KUCO National Chairperson Peterson Wachira.
The clinicians say the county has ignored a court order directing their promotions and salary adjustments, despite an earlier promise from Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration to implement the changes starting May.
KUCO Secretary General George Gibore said over 300 clinicians have been sidelined for more than seven months, even though the previous budget had allocated funds for their demands.
“We have fulfilled our part of the agreement. Now we are giving them seven days. If nothing is signed by then, we’re downing our tools,” he said.
Deputy Chairperson Boniface Mitambo added that the county continues to postpone talks and has not implemented the new career structure for clinical officers already approved at the national level.
In response, Machakos Health CECM Dr. Justus Kasivu said the agreement is expected to be signed next week.