Operations at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital are expected to return to normal after clinical officers agreed to resume work following the signing of a return-to-work agreement with hospital management, ending weeks of industrial action at the facility.
The strike, which started on December 23, 2025, was formally called off on Friday afternoon after prolonged discussions between the hospital leadership and representatives of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers.
The talks lasted two days and resulted in an agreement that sets MTRH apart as the first institution in the country to resolve the standoff with striking clinical officers, while similar strikes continue in other public hospitals.
MTRH Chief Executive Officer Philip Kirwa confirmed that the agreement addressed all grievances raised by the clinical officers, clearing the way for them to immediately return to their duties.
“Today, after discussions and agreements, we are in the process of signing a return-to-work formula to ensure our clinical officers resume duty. Essentially, all the issues they raised have been discussed and resolved,” Kirwa said.
He said the engagement required flexibility from both sides and was guided by dialogue aimed at restoring services. According to him, patients who depend on the referral hospital stand to gain the most from the decision.
Kirwa added that resolving the dispute was important to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services at the facility, which serves patients from across the region.
Leaders of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers at MTRH described the agreement as a turning point in relations between clinical officers and the hospital administration.
KUCO MTRH Branch Secretary Exellier Wamalwa said the deal had helped rebuild confidence between the two sides.
“This forms a basis of trust between clinical officers at MTRH and the administration, and we are proud to be the first institution to sign a return-to-work formula,” Wamalwa said.
At the national level, KUCO Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer George Gibore acknowledged the efforts made by MTRH management to engage the union, while pointing out that similar efforts were lacking in other institutions.
He noted that the union had complied with all labour requirements before the strike, including issuing a 21-day notice, but said there had been no meaningful response from other employers.
“The strike is still on in other areas. County and national government facilities remain fully affected,” he said.
Gibore also criticised the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors for what he termed as inaction, accusing them of delaying the implementation of earlier agreements and failing to conclude a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
National Chairman of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Peterson Wachira also weighed in, saying the agreement at MTRH was largely meant to protect patients who rely on public healthcare services.
“This agreement benefits patients more than it benefits clinical officers. It is negligence when officials fail to sign a CBA that would allow health workers to return to work and serve Kenyans,” Wachira said.
He urged the public to demand accountability from leaders and called on President William Ruto to intervene by pushing the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors to finalise talks.
With the agreement now signed, clinical officers at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital are set to resume duty, restoring services at the facility. However, the ongoing strike in other public health institutions continues to raise concerns over access to healthcare services across the country.n
