The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has given a strong warning to the Ministry of Health, stating that immediate action is required to address various critical issues affecting its members.

KUCO has set a deadline of Friday for the ministry to provide a response to their concerns; otherwise, they will resort to industrial action.

The main demand revolves around the deployment of more than 800 interns who were scheduled to be placed in their respective positions by December 2022. Despite repeated assurances from the ministry during numerous meetings, this commitment remains unfulfilled.

George Gibore, the Secretary General of the union, stated, "We have displayed considerable patience, but our members' rights are being violated. The ministry must take action without delay."

Additionally, KUCO is requesting the immediate renewal of employment contracts for Universal Health Coverage staff, which were originally set to expire at the end of May.

Moreover, KUCO is urging the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors to establish a negotiating committee, led by the Minister of Labour, to resume discussions for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The unresolved negotiations have deprived members of fair compensation, reasonable working conditions, and their right to engage in collective bargaining.

Peterson Wachira, the Chairperson of KUCO, emphasized the seriousness of the situation. He stated, "The failure to finalize CBAs not only denies our members their rights but also obstructs their professional development and puts them at a disadvantage compared to their colleagues already in service."

Wachira further argued that subjecting Universal Health Coverage staff to contractual employment agreements is not only unjust but also discriminatory, contradicting the fair labor practices enshrined in the Constitution.

KUCO has cautioned that if the Ministry of Health does not address their demands by the end of Friday, June 2, their members, including interns and Universal Health Coverage staff, will gather at the ministry headquarters on Monday, June 5, to assert their rights.