Clinical Officers accuse Governor Sakaja of neglect, plan mass protest

In a statement released Monday, KUCO announced plans for mass demonstrations on Wednesday, July 17, in Nairobi. The union said it will present a public petition demanding immediate action to address what it described as the deteriorating state of public health facilities and the county’s failure to implement career progression guidelines for its members.

“Many facilities around Nairobi are not functioning optimally, and those still operational are doing so under strained conditions. What is most alarming is the carefree attitude of the county government toward this crisis,” said Peterson Wachira, KUCO’s National Chairperson.

The protest comes amid a three-month-long strike by over 500 clinical officers, who withdrew their services citing broken promises by City Hall, including delayed promotions, failure to implement career progression frameworks, and stalled staff re-designations.

The union says these grievances persist despite the Public Service Commission (PSC) issuing directives in May 2024 calling for immediate implementation of the career guidelines.

“Our members have stagnated in the same job group for years. We now have a national policy document that provides for structured career growth from internship to retirement, but the county has failed to act,” said Stephen Muthama, KUCO Nairobi Branch Chair.

KUCO’s Secretary General George Gibore painted an even bleaker picture, describing the city’s health system as dilapidated and accusing senior county health officials of incompetence and deliberate sabotage of negotiations.

“The people entrusted with this docket have failed. Even after 83 days of strike, nothing is happening. Health facilities are crumbling and residents continue to suffer,” Gibore stated.

According to KUCO, the ongoing strike has severely impacted service delivery across the county, paralyzing operations at 74 Level 2, 43 Level 3, and 12 Level 4 health facilities. Only one Level 5 hospital remains partially operational—staffed by interns and offering limited services.

The union also criticized elected leaders beyond the governor, calling on Nairobi’s Senator, Woman Representative, and other county leadership to publicly address the crisis.

“We have prepared for peaceful demonstrations and a public petition, and we are reminding Nairobi residents that this is not just a governor’s issue. We want to hear from all leaders elected to serve Nairobi,” Gibore added.