April 1, 2024: Top news events to look out for today
By Collins Amanga, April 1, 2024
Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.
Clinical officer strike
Clinical officers across government hospitals, excluding Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), are poised to commence a strike starting this Monday.
The decision follows the Clinical Officers’ Union (KUCO) expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to address longstanding grievances, particularly regarding the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Ministry of Health.
Their demands encompass the urgent conclusion of negotiations on the CBA, which have stagnated since 2017. Moreover, they point fingers at county governors for obstructing the resolution of their concerns.
KUCO is also advocating for the immediate recruitment of 20,000 clinical officers, adherence by the Ministry of Health to the 2020 approved internship staff establishment guidelines, and the approval of Career Progression Guidelines for clinical officers.
Doctor strike continues
This strike threat coincides with a prolonged nationwide doctors’ strike, which is set to enter its third week. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has reiterated its commitment to the strike until the government fulfils their demands.
Among the key demands by the doctors are the implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the expedited posting of intern doctors.