A nationwide strike by clinical officers appears unavoidable as the Ministry of Health continues to delay implementing a court-backed pay agreement, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) National Chairperson Peterson Wachira has warned.
He accused the ministry of ignoring a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) approved months ago despite repeated protests and engagement.
With only two days left in the 21-day strike notice issued on December 2 to the national and county governments, Wachira said the union had given extra time beyond the legal requirement to avoid industrial action.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Friday, he said the CBA was fully negotiated, approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, and only awaiting the Health Cabinet Secretary’s signature since September.
“The CS has not had time to put a signature. That is the only problem. We have a CBA that is negotiated, concluded and approved by SRC, only pending a signature for the last three months,” he said.
Wachira emphasized that the extended strike notice was meant to allow resolution. “We explicitly said we gave 21 days because we didn’t want to go on strike. We wanted the issues resolved within that time,” he said.
He described the ministry’s response to the union’s demonstrations and picketing as dismissive. “Instead of addressing our issues, we were told we were too few and that some people didn’t even look like health workers,” Wachira said.
According to him, the pending strike is a result of government inaction rather than union militancy. “Strikes are not because we love them. They are necessitated by the government. How long does it take to get a day to sign a CBA since September?” he asked, noting that no explanation for the delay has been given.
Wachira said all legal and negotiation channels have been exhausted. “This CBA is midwifed by the court. Once you exhaust conciliation and arbitration by court, you have no other option other than strike. How do you take someone back to court who does not respect a court order?” he added.
He also blamed the Council of Governors for delays at county level, pointing out that approval of allowances such as risk allowance was stalled for a year due to incomplete submissions to SRC. Clinical officers, he said, have waited nine years for a proper CBA, often achieving progress only through legal battles or public demonstrations.
While acknowledging government directives from a recent summit involving the President and governors on issues like UHC staff transition, Wachira insisted that key concerns remain unresolved. “These are court orders. Just implement them,” he said, stressing that without action, a strike is unavoidable.
