Uasin Gishu county has finally signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the clinical officers’ union to boost service delivery at county facilities.
This follows a prolonged dispute over the implementation of a delayed February 2026 CBA in which the clinicians had been pushing for enhanced risk allowance, promotions, career guidelines and conversion of UHC staff to permanent terms.
Top Uasin Gishu county officials led by County Secretary Phillip Melly and Health executive Janet Kurgat, along with Chief Officer Ambrose Tarus, met with officials of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (Kuco) where they agreed to sign the CBA.
Uasin Gishu was among the few counties nationally that were yet to sign the delayed deal with the union.
“We are happy to have finally signed the CBA with our clinical officers so that they can now go out there and focus on service delivery,” Melly said.
National secretary general George Gibore welcomed the deal and said it gives members the benefits they have been fighting for.
“All the issues we had raised are covered under the CBA in which our members will be in a better position to boost service delivery,” Gibore said.
Members of the union have welcomed improved risk allowances, clear career progression guidelines, and the appointment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers on permanent and pensionable terms.
Gibore called for unity, dialogue and a shared commitment towards achieving universal health coverage with patients’ and healthcare workers’ welfare at the centre of the health system.
“UHC can only be achieved through unity between healthcare workers, unions and governments. When we come together, listen to one another and work towards common solutions, we can resolve challenges and build a stronger health system that serves our communities better,” Gibore said.
Governors in the region, especially Simon Kachapin, have been pushing for good relations with workers’ unions to help boost service delivery to the public.
“We have signed necessary CBAs to ensure the welfare of our workers is catered for as they help us deliver on our county mandate,” Kachapin said.
