Clinical officers in West Pokot County are set to resume duty within 24 hours after the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) called off a 48-day industrial strike following an agreement with the county government.
The strike officially ended after KUCO National Secretary General, George Gibore and representatives of the West Pokot County Government signed a Return-to-Work Agreement following negotiations held at the Governor’s residence.
The agreement provides a framework for addressing grievances contained in KUCO’s strike notice issued on July 7, 2026, including implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), improved risk allowances, clear career progression guidelines and issuance of Permanent and Pensionable (PnP) letters to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff.
Speaking to journalists in Kapenguria after the deliberations, West Pokot Governor, Simon Kachapin welcomed the agreement, saying it would provide much-needed relief to residents who had struggled to access healthcare services during the prolonged industrial action.
“We are delighted that we have reached an agreement. We expect our health services to resume as quickly as possible so that our people can get back to accessing the services they need,” Kachapin said.
The governor acknowledged that the strike had significantly disrupted healthcare services in the county, describing the situation as unfortunate for residents who depended on public health facilities.
“It was unfortunate for our residents to go through such an ordeal. This breakthrough brings a sigh of relief as we work towards returning services to normalcy,” he said.
Kachapin said the county government was committed to implementing the issues agreed upon under the Return-to-Work Agreement and working closely with healthcare workers to address emerging concerns.
He emphasized that there had been no bad blood between his administration and healthcare practitioners, noting that dialogue would remain the preferred approach whenever challenges arise.
“There has been no bad blood between my government and the health practitioners. Whenever issues arise, I am ready to work with the health department and the practitioners to solve them for the benefit of our residents and the county,” Kachapin said.
The governor said the discussions went beyond the strike and included broader measures to improve healthcare delivery across the county.
He said the county was considering the employment of additional clinical officers, particularly specialists, to strengthen services in public health facilities.
Kachapin also announced that a third sub-county hospital theatre is expected to be opened in Sigor Sub-county as part of efforts to expand access to specialized medical services.
On his part, Gibore thanked the county government, led by Governor Kachapin, for convening the negotiations that eventually resulted in the agreement and the suspension of the strike.
He said the implementation of the CBA would begin this month, while clinical officers would also be promoted in line with their approved career progression guidelines.
“The career guidelines will be worked on up to October to give enough time for their implementation,” Gibore said.
On the issue of UHC workers who have been awaiting Permanent and Pensionable letters, Gibore said the agreement had cleared the way for the county to begin the process of issuing the letters.
He explained that counties had previously raised concerns over the availability of funds, particularly when UHC financing was handled through conditional grants. However, the financing arrangement had since changed, paving the way for the employment terms to be addressed.
“The funds are there. Now the letters will be issued for Permanent and Pensionable employment, and that process should begin now,” he said.
The agreement also provides for the county government, through the County Secretary, to write to the Council of Governors seeking funds to facilitate payment of gratuity owed to the clinical officers.
Gibore said KUCO had been engaging county governments in different parts of the country to resolve similar grievances, noting that several counties had agreed to return to work while continuing dialogue on outstanding issues.
He urged clinical officers to honour their part of the agreement by returning to duty and called on residents to resume seeking medical services at public health facilities.
“Let us meet our end of the bargain and continue working as long as our cries are heard by those in authority. I ask all residents to visit public health facilities because services have now resumed,” Gibore said.
The negotiations brought together Deputy Governor, County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Claire Parklea, Chief Officer for Health Irene Lopakale, CECM for Finance and Planning Paul Woyakapel, County Attorney Robert Katina, representatives of the County Public Service Board, KUCO officials and other county health officials.
The signing of the Return-to-Work Agreement marks a new phase in the relationship between the county government and clinical officers, with both sides committing to continued dialogue, industrial harmony and improved healthcare delivery.
The agreement is also expected to restore normal operations in public health facilities across West Pokot after nearly seven weeks of disruption, easing the burden on residents who had been forced to seek alternative healthcare services during the strike.
By Parklea Ivor
