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The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has called off its nationwide strike following successful talks with the county governments.

In a statement on Monday, July 8, 2024, KUCO Secretary General George Gibore said the Union was calling on all its members countrywide to resume work within 24 hours of the notice.

Clinical officers arrived at the return-to-work agreement after more than three months since they began their strike on April 1, 2024.

“We have been on strike until today and now by virtue of signing this return to work, we are officially declaring that our strike has come to an end and our members shall resume duty in their respective places of work, starting today and not later than 24 hours from the date herein,” Gibore said.

The successful negotiations come after the joint National Assembly and Senate standing Committee on Health directed the governors to hold talks with the clinical officers to resolve their outstanding issues.

Clinical officers court update

On July 23, 2024, the Council of Governors and KUCO officials attended a court session to verify the progress of their ongoing talks.

Following an agreement to resolve all outstanding issues with the striking clinical officers, the governors agreed that the employers and health officers shall begin negotiating a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in the next 60 days.

Similarly, the proposed risk allowance shall be negotiated and paid upon approval by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

County governments that have yet to promote and re-designate clinical officers will be required to do so within one month and complete the transition by September 1, 2024.

Also, the Counties will be required to recruit health officers annually as occasioned by vacancies arising from natural attrition and in accordance with staffing norms.

County Governments that have not provided medical cover to the officers will commence and conclude the process of acquiring the medical cover enjoyed by other county public servants per the prevailing Public Service policies and guidelines by September 1, 2024.

KUCO also resolved with the governors that there be a harmonization of terms of service of union members employed by the county governments.

They agreed that all outstanding salaries would be paid in line with the contractual obligations and that no clinical officers would be victimised for participating in the strike.

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