Nationwide Uproar: Clinical Officers Strike Over 7 Years of Government Neglect

By Bruno Aero 

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has declared an indefinite nationwide protest, decrying what they describe as persistent neglect by the government in addressing their grievances over the past seven years.

KUCO Secretary General George Gibore les the Union in declearing the protest. 

KUCO Secretary General George Gibore announced the decision during a press briefing in Nairobi, emphasizing the dire situation faced by clinical officers across the country.

“For seven years, we have been calling on the government to address our critical issues, yet nothing has been done. Interns remain jobless, our members are overworked and underpaid, and the health sector continues to deteriorate. This protest is our last resort,” Gibore stated.

The union highlighted several key concerns:

 Unemployment Crisis – Thousands of clinical officer interns are still awaiting placement, despite a growing demand for healthcare workers nationwide.

Delayed Promotions and Poor Working Conditions – Many clinical officers report being stuck in the same positions for years without career advancement or fair compensation.

Lack of Healthcare Funding – KUCO accused the government of failing to allocate adequate resources to the health sector, further straining already overwhelmed public hospitals.

“We cannot continue to provide quality healthcare when we are treated as an afterthought. The government must prioritize our welfare if it truly values the health of Kenyans,” added Gibore.

The union declared that protests would begin immediately and continue until the government addresses their demands. They also called on all clinical officers to withdraw their services, warning of disruptions in healthcare delivery nationwide.

KUCO has urged the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities to engage in urgent dialogue to avert a complete collapse of health services.

This announcement comes amid rising public concern over the state of Kenya’s healthcare system, with many citizens already struggling to access basic medical services.

As the protests kick off, the government is under mounting pressure to act swiftly and resolve the escalating crisis.