By Baraka Simba 
The County Government of Uasin Gishu has signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), in a move aimed at resolving a four-month industrial dispute involving clinical officers in the county.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for the return of clinical officers to duty following months of industrial action that disrupted healthcare services in various public health facilities across Uasin Gishu.
In a public notice issued by the Department of Health Services, the county government said the clinical officers had been on strike for the past four months, demanding confirmation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to permanent and pensionable terms, as well as improved remuneration.
The signing of the CBA marks a significant step towards addressing some of the concerns raised by the healthcare workers and resolving the stalemate that has affected the delivery of medical services.
According to the county government, the agreement demonstrates its commitment to addressing the concerns of clinical officers and ensuring that the negotiated terms are implemented as agreed.
The Department of Health Services described the development as a crucial step towards restoring normalcy in the health sector, expressing confidence that the agreement would enable the striking clinical officers to resume their duties.
The move is expected to bring relief to residents who have experienced challenges accessing healthcare services in public facilities during the prolonged industrial action.
Clinical officers play a critical role in Kenya’s healthcare system, providing essential services including patient diagnosis, treatment, disease prevention and management.
The county government said the agreement would be implemented to the letter, signalling its commitment to improving working conditions for healthcare workers while strengthening public service delivery.
The latest development comes amid ongoing efforts by county governments to address human resource challenges in the health sector and ensure uninterrupted access to essential medical services.
Residents will now be looking forward to the implementation of the agreement and the resumption of normal healthcare operations across public health facilities in Uasin Gishu.
Eldoret Leo 
Robert Mutasi