Also known as: KUCO
Trade union representing clinical officers in Kenya, leading nationwide strikes over Collective Bargaining Agreement implementation and staff employment terms.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Kenya Union of Clinical Officers
Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
… The Kenya Medical Association and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) called on the government to strengthen preparedness measures by ensuring that health facilities have adequate personal protective equipment, isolation units remain fully operational and surveillance at …
Health workers call for protection in Ebola responseThe Standard
… h to City Hall in Nairobi to demand for Implementation of CBA and return-to-work agreement. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard] Clinical officers in Busia County are set to resume duty after the county government signed a return-to-work agreement with the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers …
Relief for patients as Busia clinical officers end strikeThe Standard
… The signing was to happen on February 2 this year but some counties decided not to come for signing and we have been chasing those signatures all through,” said George Gibore, secretary general of Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) during a press conference at their offices …
Clinical officers vow to sustain strike in 15 counties over CBAThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeThe Kenya Union of Clinical Officers says at least 38 counties have signed the negotiated collective bargaining agreement, allowing clinical officers there to return to work. …
Clinical officers' strike continues in 15 counties over CBACapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 9 – The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has condemned the alleged attack on clinical officers during a peaceful procession in Makueni County, demanding the immediate arrest of suspects and an independent investigation into the incident. …
KUCO Demands Arrests, Independent Probe After Clinical Officers Attacked in MakueniThe Standard
Audio By Vocalize The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) now say that their strike is still on and in full force as they are yet to call it off. …
Clinical officers strike still on, nurses and midwives to demonstrateThe Standard
… They have also called on the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) and Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) to support their members. …
Health interns threaten to down tools over delayed payThe Standard
… resolved. “This continued ignorance calls for the withdrawal of the remaining more than 50 health workers, including those working in theatres and other critical health response areas,” he said.Ednah Nekesa, the Nakuru County representative of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers …
Patients suffer as clinicians' strike hits day 37 in NakuruThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeThe Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) is seeking answers over the reported arrest and transfer of a clinical officer serving under the Kajiado County Government. …
Where is she? KUCO demands answers over clinical officer's arrest, transferThe Standard
… Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Secretary General George Gibore said several counties, among them Kajiado, Kericho and Mombasa, had already agreed to the unions' demands, while talks with others continue. …
Nurses' strike enters 28th day as unions report gains in county talksKenya's medical associations have called for urgent government measures to protect healthcare workers after confirmation of the country's first imported Ebola case, requesting adequate personal protective equipment, fully operational isolation units, and intensified port surveillance.
8 October 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's medical associations have called for urgent government measures to protect healthcare workers after confirmation of the country's first imported Ebola case, requesting adequate personal protective equipment, fully operational isolation units, and intensified port surveillance.
8 October 2026 · The Standard →
Clinical officers in Busia County have agreed to resume duty after the county government signed a return-to-work agreement with the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, ending a more than two-month strike that disrupted public health services. The agreement addressed key grievances including implementation of a Collective Bargaining Agreement, payment issues, and re-absorption of UHC staff.
27 September 2026 · The Standard →
Clinical officers have continued their strike, which began July 20, in 15 counties whose governors have not signed and implemented the Collective Bargaining Agreement. According to Kenya Union of Clinical Officers secretary general George Gibore, 38 counties have now signed the CBA (up from 11 at the strike's start), but eight counties—Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Uasin Gishu, Lamu, and Baringo—have not, and the union blames county employers for breaching Labour Relations Act timelines.
19 September 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers reports that 38 counties have signed a collective bargaining agreement allowing clinical officers to resume work, but the strike continues in about 15 counties that have not signed or implemented the deal. Union leaders blame governors for failing to act despite a return-to-work formula with clear timelines.
18 September 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers has condemned an alleged attack on clinical officers during a peaceful procession in Makueni County on September 8, demanding arrests and an independent investigation. One officer sustained a complete fracture and was admitted for surgery, while others suffered soft-tissue injuries.
9 September 2026 · Capital News →
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers says their strike remains in full force until substantive grievances are addressed. The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives has notified police of planned demonstrations on September 3, 2026, with 9,400 participants from the 47 counties marching to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and Council of Governors headquarters.
31 August 2026 · The Standard →
Thousands of healthcare interns—including medical officers, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and clinical officers—have threatened to strike from August 31, 2026, over delayed salaries. The interns say the Ministry of Health failed to honour its commitment to pay them by July 25, leaving many struggling to afford basic needs.
30 August 2026 · The Standard →
Health workers in Nakuru County continue a strike over the county government's delay in signing a Collective Bargaining Agreement addressing their welfare and working conditions, causing disrupted services in public health facilities. Union leaders say the government has failed to act despite a court order for workers to return and threats of further staff withdrawals.
27 August 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers is demanding clarification after clinical officer Christin Wanjiru, who works for Kajiado County Government, was reportedly arrested at her home in Kitengela on Wednesday night and transferred to Kasarani Police Station. KUCO has raised constitutional concerns about the lack of a warrant, the absence of proper station booking, and the irregular transfer method, and is seeking accountability from authorities.
27 August 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's nurses' strike has reached its 28th day with union leaders reporting progress in talks with county governments on career guidelines and Universal Health Coverage staff status. Union officials said they have tentatively agreed to submit representatives for a committee reviewing career guidelines, while the President's directive on resolving human resource and payroll issues has advanced discussions on UHC matters.
25 August 2026 · The Standard →
A 2026 Health Summit brought together policymakers, health workers, and stakeholders to assess Kenya's progress toward Universal Health Coverage, with President Ruto presenting a scorecard of his 2022 health manifesto commitments, including the Social Health Authority (SHA) which has enrolled 32.2 million Kenyans to replace the NHIF.
22 August 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya Union of Clinical Officers and Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union officials say healthcare challenges stem from inadequate and delayed financing, and that reforms cannot succeed without sufficient resources. They urged the government to prioritise healthcare financing and implement a mechanism to ensure health facilities are paid amounts owed to them, particularly reimbursements from insurers.
21 August 2026 · The Standard →
Clinical officers in Kakamega downed tools after the county failed to sign and implement their 2025/2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement, despite a 21-day notice and 14-day ultimatum. The union is demanding CBA signing, implementation of career guidelines, a return-to-work formula with promotions, and proper grading of officers.
18 August 2026 · The Standard →
Health unions blamed county governments for an ongoing nationwide strike by Universal Health Coverage workers, accusing governors of failing to implement an Sh8.9 billion budget allocation meant to transition healthcare workers to permanent and pensionable terms. The strike, now in its third day, saw union members demanding implementation of employment agreements, permanent and pensionable appointment letters, inclusion in July payroll, and recognition agreements.
23 July 2026 · Capital News →
Health workers affiliated with KUCO, KEPHU and the Civil Servants Workers Union have begun a strike in Kakamega County, disrupting public hospital services. The unions are demanding the county government honour long-standing agreements including confirming UHC staff on permanent and pensionable terms, implementing promotions, signing a recognition agreement, and fulfilling outstanding labour commitments.
23 July 2026 · The Standard →
Health Unions Caucus members begin daily street demonstrations across all 47 counties as their nationwide strike enters its third day, demanding conversion of UHC workers to permanent and pensionable terms, inclusion in July payroll, implementation of the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and signing of recognition agreements.
22 July 2026 · Capital News →
Public hospitals in Nairobi and other parts of the country continued to operate on Tuesday despite the start of a nationwide health workers' strike, with patients reporting little or no service disruption. The strike was announced by the Health Union Caucus, citing county governments' failure to address healthcare workers' grievances.
21 July 2026 · The Standard →
Medical practitioners across Kenya began a nationwide strike at midnight on July 20, 2026, after months of failed negotiations over the government's failure to absorb Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent and pensionable terms. The strike is expected to cripple healthcare delivery in all 47 counties.
21 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Health Union Caucus has commenced a nationwide strike over unresolved grievances including workers' welfare, job security and terms of employment, saying the Council of Governors has failed to respond to demands submitted on June 15.
20 July 2026 · Capital News →
Clinical officers in Nandi County have issued a strike notice effective July 20, 2027, citing the delayed implementation of the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement and citing poor medical insurance coverage and unresolved labour disputes with the county government.
18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Health unions have threatened a nationwide strike starting Monday if the Council of Governors does not confirm Universal Health Coverage staff to permanent and pensionable employment. Parliament has allocated funds for the transition, but county governments have delayed the process, leaving thousands of health workers uncertain about their jobs and benefits.
15 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Health Union Caucus announced a nationwide strike beginning at midnight on July 20, 2026, citing the Council of Governors' failure to address grievances over workers' welfare, job security, and terms of employment after demands were submitted on June 15.
14 July 2026 · Capital News →
Clinical officers in Siaya County have called off their 21-day strike after signing a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the county government. The agreement includes implementation of risk allowance payments starting in July, along with arrears dating back to June of the previous year, and implementation of career progression guidelines.
30 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Security guards contracted to protect Bungoma County's offices padlocked the main gate after going unpaid for more than seven months, barring senior officials and employees from entering. The guards, hired through Sniper Security Company, say their repeated appeals to the company and county authorities went unanswered.
18 June 2026 · The Standard →
A nationwide matatu strike triggered by rising fuel prices has paralysed transport services, forcing patients across the country to walk long distances to hospitals. Health service delivery in hospitals has been limited, with patients unable to reach referral hospitals for urgent care.
20 May 2026 · The Standard →
The Social Health Authority owes health facilities some Sh77 billion as of last year and continues to accumulate debt, according to Brian Lishenga, Chairman of the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association. The official attributed the challenges to insufficient resource pooling into SHA to settle medical claims, while union leaders condemned the government for promoting SHA registration without addressing system failures affecting healthcare delivery.
13 May 2026 · The Standard →