WEST POKOT – Clinical officers in West Pokot are set to resume duty within 24 hours after the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) called off a 48-day industrial strike following a return-to-work agreement with the County Government.
The agreement was reached on Monday, September 7, 2026, during negotiations held at the Governor’s residence, bringing an end to the prolonged standoff that had disrupted healthcare services across the county.
The parties agreed on a framework to address grievances contained in KUCO’s strike notice issued on July 7. The issues include implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), improved risk allowances, clear career progression guidelines and the issuance of Permanent and Pensionable letters to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff.
KUCO National Secretary General George Gibore said the return-to-work agreement provides an opportunity for healthcare workers and the county government to address the outstanding issues through dialogue.
“UHC can only be achieved through unity between healthcare workers, unions and governments,” Gibore said, stressing the need to place both patients’ and healthcare workers’ welfare at the centre of the health system.
The agreement comes as the county government continues negotiations with the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) over the ongoing nurses’ strike.
Governor Simon Kachapin on Monday held consultations with KNUN representatives in a bid to find a lasting solution and facilitate the return of nurses to public health facilities.
The discussions focused on the implementation of the nurses’ CBA, including remuneration, career progression and promotions, allowances, working conditions, staffing and other welfare matters.
The county government says it has already promoted nurses in line with the agreed career progression framework, while the remaining issues are being reviewed as both sides work towards a return-to-work formula.
The proposed formula is expected to provide a structured framework for nurses to resume duty as negotiations and implementation of agreed commitments continue.
Governor Kachapin reiterated the county government’s commitment to resolving the disputes through dialogue, while emphasizing the need to protect residents who depend on public health facilities for essential services.
The county government and the unions are expected to continue consultations on the outstanding issues, with the latest developments raising hopes of a gradual restoration of normal healthcare services across West Pokot.
