Kiambu county clinical officers have called off the two-month strike after the union signed a return-to-work formula with the county government.
The County Public Service Board on Monday announced that the department of health services had reached an agreement with clinical officers to call off their strike after the parties struck a consensus.
In the agreement, the clinical officers will be given adequate PPEs, medical cover and group life insurance.
Health executive Joseph Murega said the county government was in constant meetings with the officers to try and settle the stalemate, which was a nationwide crisis.
“Our hospitals are now back to normal after the agreement with the clinical officers and nurses was reached with the government,” Murega said.
With the signing of the return-to-work formula the suffering of patients will be a thing of the past, he said.
“We have had a difficult time because of Covid-19. We have got infrastructural development in the county which needs to be manned and give service to our people. We pray that strikes will not happen any other time,” Murega said.
The chairman for Kiambu County Public Service Board Allan Mwaura said Governor James Nyoro had mandated the board to negotiate with the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers so that health facilities in the county can be operational and there was no hitch during the deliberations.
“The governor has been following up on the progress of the mandate he gave the county PSB to negotiate with the clinical officers and we have been in constant negotiations. We have agreed on a return-to-work formula, hence ending the stalemate and now the officers can go back to their duties,” Mwaura said.
The officers who went on strike in early December demanded better allowances, promotions and supply of personal protective equipment.
In the agreement, the county government shall endeavor to provide adequate and quality PPEs to all clinical officers in county health facilities. All officers who became due for promotion will be promoted immediately.
The county government undertook that no KUCO member would be victimised or subjected to any form of punishment including arbitrary redeployment.
The government will unconditionally withdraw all show-cause letters, suspension letters and dismissal letters issued during the strike period.
The officers were to return to work within 24 hours of signing the agreement.
Edited by Henry Makori
