Striking Nairobi clinicians blame Governor Sakaja for ongoing health crisis

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers has put Nairobi County on notice over failure to address clinicians’ concerns despite having been on strike since the 21st of April 2025.

According to KUCO, operations in hospitals across the city have been severely affected, with level four and five facilities the worst affected as the industrial action enters its 83rd day.

Addressing a press conference Monday, KUCO Secretary General George Gibore called on Governor Johnson Sakaja to urgently intervene and help resolve the ongoing standoff.

“Today’s statement serves as a formal call to the Governor of Nairobi City County, His Excellency Johnson Sakaja, to take full political and administrative responsibility for this healthcare crisis and move with urgency to address the long-standing grievances of Clinical Officers”, the clinicians urged.

“The citizens of Nairobi deserve better. Healthcare workers deserve dignity. The solution lies not in intimidation or propaganda but in genuine dialogue, commitment to policy, and respect for labour rights and professional recognition,” he said.

The issues they want addressed include promotions and job group redesignation as well as implementation of the career guidelines, which were approved in May 2024.

They have also cited non-posting and regularisation of five clinical officers who were formerly under the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), whom they allege were irregularly left out.

According to the union, the impact on health facilities is as follows:

• Level 2 Facilities: 74 – Fully affected

• Level 3 Facilities: 42 – Fully affected

• Level 4 Facilities: 12 – Fully affected

• Level 5 Facility: Only one is affected, and it is operating partially with minimal services being offered by interns, who they regret, are being compelled to work contrary to intern govern policy, which stipulates that they must only operate under supervision.