Key Details of the New Collective Bargaining Agreement
Clinical officers in Kenya have reached a significant milestone with the signing of the country’s first-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between healthcare workers and county governments. This agreement marks a turning point for the sector, as it includes substantial salary increases and improved employment conditions for clinical officers.
The deal ensures that each clinical officer will receive a fixed risk allowance of Sh4,000. In addition, they will benefit from salary increments ranging from Sh6,000 to Sh15,000, depending on their job group. These adjustments are mandated by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and apply to both basic salary and house allowance. Higher job groups will see proportionally larger increases, reflecting the varying levels of responsibility and expertise required.
All payments under the agreement will include arrears dating back to July of last year, resulting in a significant seven-month payout. This amount will be reflected in February’s salary payments, offering much-needed relief to affected workers.
Peterson Wachira, national chairman of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (Kuco), emphasized that most of the issues outlined in the agreement have been resolved and are now awaiting implementation. He stated that the expected outcome is an increase close to Sh10,000 or more for clinical officers, depending on their job group. Additionally, counties are required to implement the SRC-advised salary increments along with the risk allowance.
Employment Extensions and Arrears for UHC and Global Fund Workers
The agreement also secures a critical victory for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund-supported clinical officers who have worked on temporary contracts. UHC workers whose contracts expire in April and May will see their employment extended through June, followed by a transition to permanent and pensionable terms starting in July.
Similarly, Global Fund workers will follow the same pathway to permanent employment while also receiving 19 months’ salary arrears owed to them. These arrears fall under the Ministry of Health’s jurisdiction and will be addressed through the Return-to-Work Agreement signed alongside the CBA.
To support these transitions, counties cite evidence from the National Treasury and the Commission on Revenue Allocation, which shows they received an additional Sh8.9 billion in allocations specifically meant to finance the shift to permanent employment. This financial support provides the necessary space to honor the commitments made under the agreement.
Impact on Healthcare Services and Future Negotiations
The newly signed CBA establishes Kenya’s first comprehensive employment framework for clinical officers at the county level, covering the entire employment lifecycle—from recruitment, retirement, and exit from service. It outlines clear working conditions, establishes grievance handling mechanisms, and creates a CBA Implementation and Monitoring Committee that will convene at least twice annually.
This agreement brings to an end a 36-day strike that began in December, during which clinical officers withdrew their services across all 47 counties. The industrial action, described by union representatives as involving “quite tedious” negotiations, ultimately resolved most outstanding issues between clinical officers and county governments.
The deal was concluded and initialled at the Council of Governors, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s devolved healthcare system. It could potentially set a precedent for future labor negotiations in the sector, signaling a positive shift toward more structured and equitable employment practices.
Broader Implications for the Sector
The CBA not only addresses immediate concerns such as salary increases and employment stability but also lays the groundwork for long-term improvements in the healthcare sector. By establishing a formal framework for negotiations and dispute resolution, it promotes a more stable and predictable environment for healthcare workers.
As the agreement moves into implementation, its success will depend on the commitment of both county governments and the unions to uphold the terms outlined. With the financial resources secured and the framework in place, there is optimism that this landmark agreement will lead to better outcomes for clinical officers and, by extension, for the patients they serve.
