Health services have been disrupted in Kisumu after clinical officers downed their tools, accusing the county government of failing to implement key agreements and address long-standing welfare concerns.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Kisumu County Branch said the strike was triggered by a persistent neglect by their employer.
They have cited failure to sign and implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), delayed salaries, stalled promotions, and poor working conditions in public hospitals.
KUCO Kisumu Branch chairman Vincent Owaa said the decision to withdraw services followed months of unsuccessful attempts to engage the county government.
He said the union had written several protest letters and issued a strike notice, but the county failed to respond.
“We needed to sit down as a family and sort out these issues, but the employer has remained silent. Up to this time, they have not responded to our communication,” Owaa said.
The unionist said the issues affecting clinical officers in Kisumu include delayed salary payments, lack of promotions, inadequate staffing, shortages of medical equipment, and delays in implementing the scheme of service.
He accused the county of refusing to sign a CBA that had already been negotiated at the national level and adopted by other counties.
“A month ago, there was a national process where counties were expected to sign the CBA. Other counties signed, but Kisumu declined,” he said.
“We wrote asking why, but we have received no response.”
Owaa said the strike, which began on Friday, was a last resort after dialogue attempts failed.
“As of June 5, we called our members out of duty. This is now the third day of the strike. Clinical officers are no longer in public hospitals across Kisumu county,” he said.
He urged the public to understand their position, saying the industrial action was meant to push the employer to negotiate in good faith.
“Our members have been patient, but the employer has abandoned negotiations. We are calling for urgent engagement so that services can resume,” Owaa added.
KUCO Kisumu Branch secretary for clinical services Craus Odhiambo said the county government had ignored multiple formal communication attempts.
Odhiambo said the union issued a protest letter a month ago, followed by another reminder two weeks later, but received no response.
A strike notice issued earlier lapsed on June 4 without action from the county.
“On Friday, we withdrew all clinical services across Kisumu county. That means outpatient departments are closed, ENT and pulmonary clinics are shut, and inpatient services are severely affected,” Odhiambo said.
He said some theatre services were still partially running due to limited staff, but most health facilities were struggling to operate.
Odhiambo outlined three key disputes at the centre of the strike; failure to sign the CBA, non-implementation of a negotiated allowance increment from Sh3,000 to Sh7,000, and violation of career progression guidelines.
He said the career progression framework was approved in 2024 and upheld by a court ruling in 2025, but the county had continued to act against it.
“There is even an advert that returned clinical officers to lower job groups, which we strongly opposed. Despite court direction, the county has refused to comply,” he said.
Odhiambo dismissed claims that the union should engage the director of medical services directly, insisting that formal communication structures are clear.
“The union communicates with the county secretary, chief officer, and Public Service Board. We are not obligated to write to the director of medical services,” he said.
The union raised concerns over the county’s medical insurance scheme, terming it unreliable and inconsistent.
They claimed the insurance has been marred by interruptions in services, leaving workers uncertain about access to healthcare.
“You go to a hospital today and they accept the cover, tomorrow they reject it. That is not a reliable system. We are calling for a comprehensive and transparent medical insurance scheme,” Owaa said.
He alleged that procurement and renewal of the insurance contracts had been done without adequate consultation with union representatives.
The union maintained that the strike is lawful and protected under labour laws, urging members to remain firm until their grievances are addressed.
They said some workers have gone months without pay.
“We have members who have not been paid for April and even earlier months. These are serious issues that the employer continues to ignore,” Owaa said.
