By Baraka Simba 
Clinical officers working in public health facilities across Uasin Gishu County have vowed to continue with their four-month industrial action despite the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the county government.
The agreement, signed on November 4, 2026, had raised hopes of resolving the prolonged labour dispute. However, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) says its members will not resume duty until the county government signs a separate return-to-work agreement addressing their outstanding grievances.
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The strike, which started on July 2, 2026, has disrupted healthcare services in public facilities, leaving residents facing challenges accessing essential medical attention.
KUCO National Trustee Xavier Wamalwa, who represented the union’s Secretary General on labour relations matters, welcomed the signing of the CBA but maintained that the agreement alone was insufficient to end the industrial action.
Wamalwa said the union expected the county government to provide written commitments on issues raised before the strike, including career progression, enhanced risk allowances, implementation of employment guidelines and recruitment of additional healthcare workers.
He expressed disappointment that county executives had reportedly declined to endorse the proposed return-to-work agreement during negotiations.
According to Wamalwa, the union wants clear assurances that the outstanding concerns will be addressed before clinical officers return to their respective workplaces.
He urged Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim to personally intervene and engage the relevant county officials to facilitate an agreement that would bring the dispute to an end.
The union official also raised concerns about the conduct of some county representatives during negotiations, calling for constructive engagement and mutual respect between the two parties.
One of the major issues behind the standoff is the enhanced risk allowance for clinical officers, which Wamalwa said had increased from KSh3,000 to KSh7,000 per month.
The union wants the county government to clarify when the revised allowance will be implemented to ensure healthcare workers receive the agreed benefits.
Career progression is another major sticking point, with KUCO demanding proper implementation of professional guidelines governing recruitment, promotions, training and advancement within the clinical officers’ profession.
The guidelines are intended to address career stagnation and establish clear professional development opportunities for healthcare workers serving in county facilities.
Uasin Gishu KUCO branch chairman Dennis Cheruiyot also confirmed that the signing of the CBA would not automatically bring the strike to an end.
Cheruiyot thanked the county government for signing the agreement but urged union members not to sign individual return-to-work forms before the union and county leadership finalise a collective arrangement.
He argued that allowing individual clinical officers to resume duty without a comprehensive agreement could weaken the union’s negotiating position and leave important grievances unresolved.
The branch chairman further highlighted the impact of the prolonged strike on patients who depend on public health facilities, particularly those requiring regular treatment and follow-up care.
He noted that clinical officers play an important role in managing chronic conditions such as hypertension, as well as supporting maternal and newborn healthcare services.
The disruption has also raised concerns about access to specialised services, including anaesthesia support during medical procedures.
The union has called for urgent intervention by the county leadership, warning that continued disagreements could further affect healthcare delivery and residents who rely on government hospitals and health centres.
Although the November 4 CBA signing marked progress in negotiations between the two parties, the return of clinical officers to work remains dependent on the resolution of outstanding labour issues.
For thousands of residents in Uasin Gishu County, an early settlement would be crucial in restoring normal operations in public health facilities and improving access to essential healthcare services.
Robert Mutasi