TAITA TAVETA – Clinical officers in Taita Taveta County have called off their 44-day strike after reaching a return-to-work agreement with the county government. Represented by the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), the healthcare workers are expected to resume duty within 24 hours starting Tuesday following the signing of the deal.
Union Secretary General for the county, Ali Mumbo, confirmed the suspension of the industrial action, noting that a vast majority of their demands had been addressed. “After a series of discussions, we have agreed to resolve 90% of the contentious issues. I therefore inform the public that in the next 24 hours, services will have resumed in all our medical facilities across the county,” Mumbo stated.
Under the terms of the agreement, the county government will pay a monthly risk allowance of Sh4,000 to each clinical officer effective September, alongside all cleared arrears dating back to June. Additionally, the county has committed to issuing promotion letters by September 13, with the entire promotion exercise slated for completion by September 17.
The agreement also resolves the plight of eight clinical officers whose salaries were halted following their dismissal; the county government has pledged to pay all their accumulated arrears by September 30. Furthermore, county officials assured the officers that the recurring issue of delayed salaries will be addressed, starting with the clearance of outstanding arrears this month.
Welcoming the move, County Health Executive Alfred Mlolwa emphasized the importance of the agreement to the local population. “When clinical officers are not at work, services are not to the required standard. We are happy that we have been able to resolve most of the issues so that wananchi can once again access medical services in our hospitals,” Mlolwa said.
