Clinical officers vow to continue protesting as strike enters day 84
The strike by clinical officers which has entered its 84th day today will continue as the government remains unresponsive to their demands.
While addressing the press in Embu town George Gibore, the Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), said the healthcare professionals are determined to continue with their industrial action until their grievances are addressed.
The prolonged strike has caused significant disruption in healthcare services across the nation, leaving many patients in critical need of care.
Gibore accused the government of reneging on agreements made in 2021, specifically regarding employment contracts and health insurance.
He said Clinical officers have been subjected to dubious contracts that provide little job security, and the government's failure to pay for their health insurance has forced them to cover medical expenses out of their own pockets.
"We cannot continue to work under such precarious conditions," Gibore declared, stressing the urgency of their demands.
One of the key issues driving the strike is the unfulfilled promise of an increased risk allowance. In 2021, the government agreed to raise the allowance from Ksh3,000 to Ksh15,000, but this has not been implemented.
"We are risking our lives every day, and the government must acknowledge that," Gibore stated.
His sentiments were echoed by Jacinta Rwamba, the National Gender Affairs Secretary for KUCO, highlighting the persistent issue of stagnation in promotions. She said many clinical officers have not seen career advancements for years, leading to frustration and low morale.
"The government must address the promotion bottlenecks that have persisted for far too long," Rwamba urged, calling for immediate action to rectify this situation.
Despite these challenges, the clinical officers have expressed a willingness to negotiate with the government. Gibore emphasized that they are open to dialogue but stressed the need for public support.
"We call on Kenyans to stand with us in our push for fair treatment. If clinical officers are affected, the quality of healthcare for all will suffer," he warned.
In response, Jamal Runyenje, Embu County Executive Committee (CEC) Member in charge of Health, promised continued engagement with the clinical officers to find an amicable solution.
"We are committed to resolving these issues, we are engaging with the national government to see how we can go about it," Runyenje noted.
As the strike continues, patients are bearing the brunt of the disruption. Many are unable to access essential medical services, and the healthcare system is under immense strain.
"We are ready to return to work, but only if our demands are fully met," Gibore reiterated, making it clear that the resolution lies in the government's hands.
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