Council of Governors Signs Historic CBA With Clinical Officers After Eight-Year Delay
After eight long years of tense negotiations, repeated strikes, and significant disruptions to public healthcare across Kenya’s counties, a breakthrough has finally arrived. The Council of Governors (CoG) and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) signed a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in Nairobi on February 2, 2026. This historic deal ends one of the most prolonged labour disputes in the devolved health sector and paves the way for greater stability in service delivery.
Ending Years of Industrial Unrest
The agreement marks the first comprehensive CBA between county governments and clinical officers, addressing deep-seated grievances that fueled nationwide strikes and service interruptions. Disputes over remuneration, career structures, and working conditions had persisted since around 2017–2018, leading to recurring industrial action—including a recent 36-day strike that began in late December 2025 and paralyzed many public facilities.
The signing followed a return-to-work formula agreed upon on January 28, 2026, which allowed clinical officers to resume duties while finalizing the full CBA. Both parties described the moment as long overdue. KUCO National Chairperson Peterson Wachira emphasized the significance, stating, “We must remember this day; it has been eight years.”
Key Salary Improvements and New Pay Scales
Under the new terms, clinical officers will see meaningful enhancements in earnings, with salaries backdated to July 1, 2025. Counties have committed to settling arrears accordingly.
- The lowest-paid clinical officer in urban areas now earns Ksh 110,900, while rural counterparts receive Ksh 105,900.
- At the top end, urban clinical officers can earn at least Ksh 338,010, with rural positions reaching roughly Ksh 330,010.
Additional benefits include a fixed risk allowance (starting at around Ksh 4,000–5,000 in the initial period, with planned increases) and improved house allowances in line with reviewed structures.
Career Progression and Educational Pathways
A major win for the profession includes streamlined career ladders and recognition of qualifications:
- Holders of higher diplomas can enter the workforce at the same job group as degree holders and progress accordingly.
- The agreement introduces a new Clinical Specialists category for those with master’s degrees.
- Degree-holding clinical officers gain clearer routes to specialize and advance to higher job groups through further education.
These changes aim to reduce inequities, boost motivation, and help counties retain skilled professionals amid ongoing workforce shortages and rising healthcare demands.
Stabilizing the Health Sector Amid Past Challenges
CoG officials highlighted the deal’s role in fostering stability, especially after fiscal pressures—like the 2024 Finance Bill adjustments that cut county allocations by Ksh 20 billion—affected health budgeting. The agreement supports broader efforts involving the national government to resolve long-standing implementation issues with health worker CBAs.
KUCO leaders welcomed the progress while stressing the need for full commitment. The union’s General Secretary reflected on the journey: “Every challenge presents an opportunity for critical reflection and crafting a sustainable long-term solution capable of preventing recurrent industrial unrest in the health sector.”
A monitoring committee—comprising representatives from both sides—will oversee quarterly implementation to prevent future breakdowns.
Looking Ahead: Implementation and Lasting Peace
The CBA takes effect from July 1, 2025, and runs until June 2029. With strike threats looming into early 2026 now averted, focus shifts to execution across all 47 counties.
Stakeholders on both sides have pledged ongoing dialogue, warning that any failure to honor the terms could reignite tensions. For now, though, the signing represents a hopeful turning point—transforming years of confrontation into a framework for collaboration and better healthcare for Kenyans.
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Council of Governors Signs Historic CBA With Clinical Officers After Eight-Year Delay