The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has issued a strong call to action urging all clinical officers working under the Ministry of Health and county governments, including clinical interns, to take part in a nationwide demonstration on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

This follows a 21-day strike notice that is set to lapse on the midnight of December 22, 2025. According to a statement released by the union on Wednesday, November 3, 2025, the planned industrial action has been triggered by the persistent failure and refusal by both levels of government to implement court orders and the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) agreed upon in previous negotiations.

At the centre of the dispute is the stalled implementation of several key items that KUCO says have been ignored for years.

These include the conclusion of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, the roll-out of the 3rd and 4th SRC salary reviews by county governments, the implementation of new career guidelines under the RTWF, and the absorption of UHC and Global Fund staff. The union argues that these issues have been pending despite clear directions from the courts, Parliament, and the Ministry of Health.

On the CBA, KUCO notes that the court directed its conclusion last year, and although the union and employers agreed to finalise it by December 2024, county governments have dragged the process for more than a year.

The Ministry of Health has already printed and signed its CBA, but the county governments’ version has remained stuck at the stage of finalising just one item. KUCO accuses counties of being in contempt of court for failing to complete the process.

Points of contention

The salary review matter is also a major point of contention. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission had advised county governments to adjust basic salaries in phases.

While the Ministry of Health has already implemented phase five, counties remain stuck at phase two. KUCO notes that SRC wrote to counties in 2024 directing them to move to the 3rd and 4th phases, but the directive has been ignored.

Another key issue is the implementation of the 2024 RTWF, which is now supported by court orders. The formula provides for promotions aligned with career guidelines, the absorption of contract staff, and the hiring of additional clinical officers.

According to KUCO, all of this was supposed to be completed between September 2024 and December 2025. While a few counties—Machakos, Nyeri, Makueni and Kitui—have complied, the majority have not, forcing the union to push for full enforcement.

“The Union has issued a strike notice of 21 days elapsing on the midnight of 22nd December 2025, involving all Clinical Officers working under the Ministry of Health and County Governments and including Clinical interns,” reads the statement

The union is also protesting the delayed absorption of UHC and Global Fund staff. KUCO says this was already agreed upon in the 2024 RTWF and backed by the Labour Relations Court.

A budget was set aside after prolonged demonstrations last year, and both the President and Parliament directed county governments to absorb the workers immediately.

According to the union, despite these directives, counties have continued to delay, with some officers serving for more than 16 months without pay. A similar stalemate exists for Global Fund staff, with KUCO accusing the Ministry of Health and counties of hiding behind technicalities.

KUCO says the profession’s progress has only come through persistent demonstrations and strikes.

They credit the union-led actions for achievements such as union registration, interns’ payment, salary increments, and new career guidelines. The union leadership is now urging all members to unite with a single resolve to defend their dignity, push for better pay, and strengthen their profession.