Nairobi, 02 February 2026 – The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) on Monday signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This marks a major milestone for the cadre. It comes nearly seven years after the union’s formation in 2017.
The signing follows years of protracted strikes. There were legal disputes and disagreements involving the Council of Governors, the Ministry of Health, and clinical officers across counties in Kenya. KUCO chairperson Peterson Wachira described the journey to the agreement as exhausting but sustained by solidarity among union members. He noted that, despite occasional demotivation, members stood firm. This move, he said, strengthened the union’s bargaining position.
“It has been quite tedious, sometimes frustrating, and I also felt demotivated because things were not moving. But I have found a lot of motivation in comradeship. Our members have really supported us. Our members did not go back to work,”
-Peterson Wachira, the union’s chairperson, told Nation.
While clinical officers have previously received various allowances, these had not been anchored in a legally binding CBA. The new agreement secures these benefits in law as parties await full implementation of all clauses. According to the union, the CBA commits the government to progressively increasing the number of clinical officers. This move is seen as critical to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Kenya currently requires an estimated 24,000 clinical officers to effectively deliver UHC. However, only about 7,000 are deployed across public and private health facilities. Mr Wachira said a joint committee has been established to monitor the implementation of the CBA. The committee will track progress toward workforce expansion to ensure that every Kenyan can access services from a clinical officer.
A major feature of the agreement is a revised grading structure that recognises professional advancement. Clinical officers who upgrade from a diploma to a higher diploma qualification will now receive corresponding salary reviews. Under the new framework, holders of higher diplomas can enter the workforce at the same grade as degree holders. They can also progress to higher job groups.
The CBA also introduces a new cadre of Clinical Specialists for master’s degree holders. Thus, clinical officers with undergraduate degrees will be able to pursue specialisation and can advance into higher job groups. The union believes this move will encourage skills development and strengthen service delivery.
On remuneration, the agreement outlines immediate implementation of salaries and allowances. The lowest-paid clinical officer in urban areas will earn Sh110,900, while those in rural settings will earn Sh105,900. At the top end, clinical officers in rural areas will earn about Sh330,010. In comparison, their urban counterparts will earn at least Sh338,010. The Council of Governors has agreed to implement the third cycle of the Salary and Remuneration Commission recommendations. This includes increments and risk allowances. Arrears will also be provided.
Union leaders indicated that the new pay structure is expected to reflect in February’s salaries. Beyond remuneration, the CBA also addresses working conditions, employment security, and the transition from active service to retirement.
Kenya’s Commitment to Local Vaccine Manufacturing
The agreement comes amid broader efforts to stabilise Kenya’s health workforce. National and county governments held the 12th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House last year. During the summit, they committed to ensuring continuity for UHC workers. Even though some clinical officers’ contracts are set to expire in April, KUCO requested counties to extend payments until the end of the financial year. By then, workers are expected to be absorbed on a permanent, pensionable basis.
Despite the breakthrough, union leaders cautioned that implementation remains the true test. KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore said past experiences have shown that signed agreements are not always honoured. This is true even after high-level political commitments. He noted that the union would closely monitor implementation and take action if commitments are not met.
“Even when there is an agreement, implementation sometimes becomes a problem. There are past situations where even a president has made a pronouncement, but nothing was done,” -George Gibore. “We have the latitude to do anything we want to do if we feel that something is not happening as we anticipate. We know that they are champions for having agreements and disregarding them.”
For now, KUCO leaders say all outstanding issues have been resolved on paper. Therefore, attention has shifted to ensuring that the agreement translates into tangible improvements for clinical officers.
About the Author
