Clinical officers have threatened to strike for the second time this year after several counties failed to adhere to the Return to Work agreement signed on July 8, which had previously suspended their 99-day strike.
The strike began on April 1 over issues including inadequate medical coverage, promotions, re-designations, and a stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
George Gibore, Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, and Chairperson Peterson Wachira have stated that many counties have not honored the agreement. Gibore noted that the Council of Governors wants clinicians to negotiate with individual counties, contrary to the agreement that stipulates centralized CBA negotiations.
“Many counties have yet to implement promotions and re-designations, provide medical cover, and harmonize terms of service, while some have subjected our members to arbitrary transfers,” Gibore said.
The union highlighted that only Kajiado, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kisumu, and Busia have complied with the agreement on promotions. Nyeri, Nandi, and Kisumu have completed re-designations, while counties like Tharaka Nithi, Nyeri, Isiolo, Murang’a, Vihiga, Tana River, and Busia have harmonized terms of service.
Counties such as Isiolo, Laikipia, Embu, Tana River, and Kericho have managed to provide comprehensive medical coverage.
The union is now giving counties 30 days to finalize promotions and re-designations. They demand that all counties ensure members have comprehensive medical coverage by October 1 and reimburse medical expenses incurred since September 1.
“The CBA must be negotiated centrally under the Council of Governors as agreed and concluded within the next 30 days,” Gibore stated.
They are also calling for the harmonization of casual and contractual terms with those of permanent staff within 30 days, as outlined in the Return to Work agreement. Additionally, they want salaries and third-party deductions remitted by the fifth of each month and all withheld salaries from the strikes of 2021 and 2024 paid by October 5.
“Should our demands go unmet, the union will have no choice but to strike, as all other avenues have been exhausted,” Wachira warned.
According to the Return to Work Formula (RTWF) between the Council of Governors and the union, employers were to begin negotiations for a CBA and conclude them within 60 days of signing the agreement. The RTWF also requires counties that have not promoted or re-designated clinical officers to initiate this process within one month and complete it by September 1, 2024.
“It is unfortunate that most county governments have not implemented the Return to Work agreement despite the deadlines having passed,” Wachira remarked.
Additionally, counties are expected to replace departing officers and recruit clinical officers annually based on resource availability and staffing needs. The proposed risk allowance will be negotiated and paid once approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
