A new row has broken out between the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers after the union accused Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale of holding back the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement that has been pending for months.
The union insists the delayed approval is jeopardising the welfare of clinicians ahead of a nationwide strike planned for December 23.
KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore said all key state offices had already cleared the agreement except the Health Ministry, adding that clinicians will not continue working without a signed deal.
“Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission have accepted it; it is only CS Aden Duale who is yet to do so. We shall officially start our strike on December 23, and we will close all hospitals across the country,” Gibore said.
KUCO National Chairperson Peter Wachira said the process ended long ago and that the agreement has been awaiting the CS’s approval. “We concluded the negotiations. The documents are printed and have been on the CS’s desk for three months,” he said.
Duale, however, dismissed claims of intentional delays, saying the agreement has not yet reached his desk. “On the issue they are raising, it concerns only clinicians working in the national government. I do not sign documents immediately upon receipt. In fact, I have not seen this one,” he said during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday.
He defended his conduct in dealing with labour issues in the health sector, saying he has been working to settle existing disputes since taking office. “I have posted interns at the rate requested, in consultation with the National Treasury and the Presidency. I have ensured that UHC staff, including clinicians, are now earning at SRC rates,” he said.
Duale said he would act once the CBA is formally submitted to his office, noting that the agreement touches both national and county clinicians and must involve wider consultations.
“When it is brought, I will review it, consult the National Treasury, consult the SRC, and sign it. I aim to sign before the end of next week. This will also affect clinicians working at county level, so coordination with the Council of Governors is necessary,” he said.
He added that he remains open to dialogue with union leaders. “I maintain an open-door policy, particularly with the KUCO chairman and secretary-general. Confrontation is not a tool to resolve social issues like healthcare,” he said.
