The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has confirmed that the nationwide strike for clinical officers, scheduled to begin on Sunday, is still set to proceed.
KUCO had previously issued a 14-day strike notice, which is set to expire on January 19, citing alleged discrimination by the Social Health Authority (SHA) and unmet commitments in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
George Gibore, the KUCO Secretary General, stated that SHA has denied facilities owned by clinical officers their contractual rights to receive patients registered under the authority. He further explained that SHA had failed to empanel these facilities to allow them to obtain pre-authorization, which is necessary for providing healthcare services to patients.
“They are enforcing non-existent laws that require facilities owned by clinical officers to undergo a second registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) before they can treat patients,” Gibore said.
Speaking in Embu during a meeting with clinical officers at Embu Level Five Hospital on Friday, Gibore warned that this move would hinder service delivery and limit patients’ access to healthcare.
KUCO National Trustee Moses Baiyenia accused cartels within KMPDC of taking control of SHA and blocking healthcare providers, other than doctors, from offering services through the authority. He criticized these actions as undermining the President’s efforts and called for the dismissal of Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa.
Regarding the CBA, Gibore noted that many counties have not promoted clinical officers or transitioned contractual staff to permanent roles as agreed in the deal signed last year and filed in court.
“We are mobilizing our members across the country in preparation for the strike,” Gibore added, emphasizing that the strike is a result of the government’s inaction.
James Nyaga, Embu Branch Secretary, reiterated their readiness to join the strike in solidarity with colleagues nationwide.