Clinical officers across Kenya will down their tools starting at midnight on Monday, December 22, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has confirmed. The strike follows the expiry of a 21-day notice period, with the union citing unresolved disputes with the Ministry of Health and county governments.

KUCO’s demands center on the immediate signing and implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) finalized in August 2025, backdated promotions, and the absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund staff into permanent, pensionable roles. The union also calls for payment of salary arrears, which in some counties have accumulated up to 16 months.

Other demands include recognition under the Social Health Authority (SHA), restoration of pre-authorisation rights for clinical specialists, and implementation of risk, house, and commuter allowances.

Providing nearly 99 percent of Kenya’s outpatient services, clinical officers are the backbone of primary healthcare. The strike will disrupt services in Levels 2 to 5 public hospitals, affecting maternal care, emergency services, routine consultations, disease control programs, and clinical training for interns.

KUCO leaders accused the government of delaying negotiations, noting that only a fraction of the union’s 19-point demands have been addressed. The strike is legally protected, with members instructed to maintain industrial action until all issues are formally resolved.