The Council of Governors (CoG) and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) signed a Return-to-Work Formula on January 28, 2026, ending a 36-day nationwide strike that had disrupted health services across Kenya, the governors announced on their X account.

The strike, which began on December 23, 2025, saw clinical officers halt work in public hospitals demanding better pay, improved working conditions, and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

During the strike, patients faced delays in treatment, consultations, and emergency services. County hospitals, where clinical officers handle much of the daily patient care, reported significant disruptions.

CoG and KUCO officials held talks to find a solution that balanced workers’ demands with the need to maintain county health systems. The signed Return-to-Work Formula requires all KUCO members to resume duties immediately, or no later than 24 hours after the agreement. This measure is intended to restore normal hospital operations quickly.

Both sides also agreed to finalise and sign the CBA on February 2, 2026. The agreement will cover key demands, including salaries, medical cover, and training. KUCO leaders said the deal addresses long-standing grievances that had fuelled the strike.

KUCO Secretary General George Gibore confirmed the end of the action.

Counties commit to health

Governor Stephen Sang, speaking on behalf of CoG Chairperson Ahmednasir Abdullahi, stressed counties’ commitment to honouring the resolutions.

“County Governments remain committed to ensuring uninterrupted and quality health service delivery to all Kenyans,” he said.

The strike underscored the crucial role of clinical officers in Kenya’s health sector. They make up a significant portion of the workforce, particularly in rural areas. Without them, hospitals struggled to manage patient caseloads.

The agreement prevents further harm to public health and demonstrates that labour disputes can be resolved through dialogue. CoG officials pointed out that counties face budget limits but prioritised this settlement to protect services.

In September 2025, the Council of Governors directed the Social Health Authority (SHA) to immediately settle Ksh10.3 billion in outstanding health claims owed to county governments. The leaders raised concern that the delayed reimbursements had put heavy strain on public hospitals and disrupted service delivery across the country.