Clinical officers in Kwale County have called off a six-week strike after reaching an agreement with the county government, paving the way for the resumption of normal healthcare services in public health facilities.
The industrial action, which began on May 4, 2026, had disrupted service delivery across the county as clinical officers demanded implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), payment of salary arrears, promotions, recruitment of additional staff and implementation of career progression guidelines.
Speaking after a consultative meeting between county officials and representatives of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kwale County Attorney Salim Gombeni said the two parties had reached a consensus on all issues raised by the union.
Gombeni said the county government had committed to a progressive implementation of the agreed resolutions, noting that some of the issues would be addressed immediately while others would be implemented in phases.
“We may not be able to address all issues at once, but we have agreed on a progressive implementation plan. We appreciate the union members and everyone who contributed towards these discussions,” he said.
He noted that the newly constituted County Public Service Board would continue engaging the union to ensure the implementation of the agreed resolutions.
KUCO Secretary General George Gibore welcomed the agreement and announced that clinical officers would resume duty immediately.
“Based on the agreements reached today, we have agreed to call off the strike and allow implementation of the negotiated terms. Within the next 24 hours, our members will be informed to return to work,” he said.
Gibore said the county government had committed to implementing the Collective Bargaining Agreement within 14 days, while provisions requiring budgetary allocation would be factored into the next financial year.
He further urged the county government to prioritize the confirmation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers once the ongoing budget process is concluded.
The agreement is expected to restore normal operations in public health facilities across the county and improve access to healthcare services for residents.
The strike had affected healthcare delivery in several county health facilities, forcing patients to seek alternative services as negotiations between the county government and the union continued.
by Chari Suche
