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
… Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) chairperson Peterson Wachira said the President's commitment offered hope that the human resource crisis could finally be addressed. …
Health Summit Review: A scorecard for health agendaThe Standard
… Speaking during an interview on Spice FM on Friday, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) National Chairman Peterson Wachira and Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary-General and CEO Davji Atellah warned that reforms will struggle to deli …
Inadequate funding to blame for healthcare crisis, unions sayThe Standard
… Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Kakamega branch secretary-general Olaka Mutobera said the union had issued a 21-day strike notice before withdrawing their services. …
Kakamega clinical officers strike to demand implementation of CBACapital News
… Speaking during the demonstrations, Peterson Wachira, National Chairperson of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and Chairperson of the Health Unions Caucus, faulted governors for what he described as continued inaction despite the availability of funds. …
Health Unions Blame Governors as UHC Workers Strike Drags OnThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeHealthcare services in public hospitals across Kakamega County have been severely disrupted after health workers affiliated with the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), the Kenya Environmental Public Health Union (KEPHU) and the Civil Servants Workers Union …
Health services disrupted as Kakamega health workers strikeCapital News
… Health Unions Caucus Chairperson and Kenya Union of Clinical Officers National Chairperson Peterson Wachira accused county governments of failing to implement court orders and national agreements on the welfare of health workers. …
Health Unions Begin Daily Protests as Nationwide Strike Enters Third DayThe Standard
… from other parts of the country, where county hospitals also continued to offer services despite the strike announcement.The strike was announced on Monday by Peterson Wachira, Chairperson of the Health Union Caucus and National Chairperson of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers …
Hospitals remain operational despite health workers' strikeThe Standard
… The Health Union Caucus Chairperson and Kenya Union of Clinical Officers National Chairperson, Peterson Wachira, said county governments had failed to honour their obligations despite sufficient time being granted. …
Healthcare services paralysed as workers begin nationwide strikeCapital News
… The statement was signed by Health Union Caucus chairperson Peterson Wachira alongside officials from several health sector unions, including the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), the Kenya Union of Nutritio …
Health workers commence nationwide strike over welfare and job security concernsCitizen Digital
… The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Nandi Chapter, said members will down their tools from July 20, 2027, over the delayed implementation of the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). …
Nandi clinical officers issue strike notice over labour disputeKenya'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 →