Clinical Officers set to begin strike on Monday

In a statement on Sunday, KUCO said that the strike has been prompted by a prolonged neglect by the government in addressing critical matters that affect them.

The neglect, KUCO added, directly impedes the delivery of quality healthcare services and further undermines the implementation of Universal Health Coverage(UHC).

Some of the demands they want to be addressed include the issuance of confirmation letters for permanent and pensionable positions for their staff members.

They also want what they term as 'systemic flagrant' by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to be addressed. They argue that human resource manuals by both the Ministry of Health (MOH) and county governments have not been reviewed that hinder the promotion of staff members "since devolution began".

"We call for the expeditious approval of Career Progression Guidelines for clinical officers," read a statement from KUCO.

Additionally, they want the immediate recruitment of over 20,000 qualified officers to address existing staff shortages

"It is our position that the Ministry of Health adheres to 2020 approved Salaries and Remuneration establishment guidelines by the PSC, disregarding disruptive advisories from the Commission (SRC) that threaten sector stability," added the statement in part.

The strike comes in the occupancy of a long-running nationwide doctors strike that has impeded service delivery in the health sector.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has maintained that they will not relent on their marches until the government heeds their demands.

Among the demands include the implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the speedy posting of intern doctors in tomorrow's meeting with the Ministry of Health leadership.

Doctors have even threatened to withdraw even the bare essential services that are currently being offered if the stalemate persists.