A looming health crisis in Machakos County was narrowly averted after clinical officers reached a last-minute agreement with county officials late Friday evening at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), which led the high-stakes negotiations, confirmed that the deal was struck just hours before midnight, halting a planned strike that would have severely disrupted healthcare services across the county.
The agreement addresses long-standing grievances among clinical officers, including job stagnation, poor compensation, and lack of career advancement.
“Machakos becomes the first county in Kenya to implement career progression guidelines for clinical officers,” said KUCO National Chairperson Peterson Wachira, hailing the agreement as a historic breakthrough after months of mounting tension between the union and the county administration.
KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore detailed key elements of the deal, which include promotions for officers stuck in the same job group, pay increases, and better working conditions aligned with national standards.
“We’ve found convergence on some critical issues,” said Gibore. “We signed two documents: one outlining how county governments will promote our members, and another on proper designation to their rightful job groups.”
Machakos County Secretary Dr. Muia Ndambuki lauded the outcome, calling it a major step toward stabilizing the county’s healthcare system. “This breakthrough resolves a situation that had been hanging over our heads. It’s a win for Machakos and a reflection of the governor’s commitment to health sector reforms,” he said.
Following the agreement, KUCO pledged to present the signed documents to the courts as proof of compliance and successful resolution of the dispute.
The peaceful resolution not only restores normal operations in Machakos hospitals but also sets a precedent for other counties grappling with similar challenges in the health sector.
