Editor's Review

  • Over 500 clinical officers and nurses who have been on strike were fired.
  • The government had assured the healthcare workers that it will drop all cases presented to court following if they resume work.

Taita Taveta County has fired over 500 clinical officers and nurses who have been on strike.

The County on Tuesday, January 12 2021, ordered the healthcare workers to return property belonging to the county.

A similar order had been issued by Kisii County after it terminated a recognition agreement signed with clinical officers in 2016 citing failure to end strike despite court orders.

In December 2020, hospitals were still grappling with the absence of these healthcare workers in their facilities after they called for a strike.

On January 1 2021, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) signed a return-to-work formula Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe at Afya House, its chairman Peterson Wachira said.

The union said their concern on an unsafe working environment in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic had been addressed.

"We are provided on how to ensure they get supported in terms of the PPEs, frequently checking on whether they are available or whether they are adequate," said KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore.

The government was also going to drop all cases presented to court following the strike notice issued on November 23 together with all disciplinary cases emanating from the strike lodged against the individual officers.