The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has issued a stern warning to the government, threatening to resume their strike if grievances regarding the Social Health Authority (SHA), Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and employment of clinicians working under non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are not addressed.
Speaking at a press briefing, KUCO National Chairperson Peterson Wachira criticized the government’s failure to implement an agreement signed on January 14 at the Council of Governors, which was meant to ensure clinical officers are integrated into the SHA system.
“We want to address three major issues. Three weeks after the agreement was signed, clinical officers in private practice have not been granted access to the e-contracting platform. Despite being empaneled, the system still only recognizes one body—KMPDC,” Wachira stated.
He further lamented the inefficiency of SHA’s preauthorization process, which he said was failing both clinicians and patients. “SHA is not working because clinicians are unable to facilitate access for patients. The problem lies with the secretariat and management of SHA, not the law itself,” he added.
Wachira also supported recent remarks by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, who acknowledged that SHA had failed. “We have been raising our voices for three months, calling for the disbandment of SHA’s management. There are capable Kenyans who understand UHC and can ensure its success,” he said.
The union has given the government until the end of the week to resolve the issues, warning that failure to allow clinical officers to register their private facilities and conduct preauthorization will trigger a strike. Additionally, KUCO is gathering signatures to petition Parliament for a vote of no confidence in SHA’s leadership.
“We are witnessing a direct violation of Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan access to healthcare,” Wachira stated. “If these demands are not met, we will officially resume our strike.”
Government’s Failure to Address Healthcare Crisis
KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore highlighted the severe impact of funding cuts on healthcare workers, particularly those employed in HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs under U.S.-funded initiatives.
“As of February 1, clinical officers working in these programs have been laid off, and we are facing a major crisis. Not only do we lack sufficient personnel, but essential medications will soon run out without a clear restocking plan,” Gibore warned.
He accused the Kenya Kwanza government of reneging on its promise to hire 100,000 healthcare workers. “We are already understaffed, with clinicians being overworked and even denied annual leave. Seven days have passed since we suspended our strike, but SHA and the counties have yet to implement our agreement,” he said.
Gibore declared that KUCO would issue a formal strike notice upon his return to Nairobi. “We cannot continue negotiating with a government that lacks goodwill. If counties do not act within the remaining 14 days, we will have no choice but to call for a nationwide strike,” he affirmed.
The union’s firm stance signals an imminent healthcare crisis if the government does not take swift action to resolve the grievances of clinical officers across the country.
