Tired of ‘empty rhetoric’, Kenya’s clinical officers strike amidst COVID-19 pandemic

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 7- After months of “empty rhetoric” characterized by promises, Kenya’s clinical officers downed their tools, and have vowed to stay put until all their demands are addressed.

This is after 9 clinical officers succumbed to COVID-19, the latest being a 31-year-old who is yet to be laid to rest due to a Sh2 million health bill.

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers is leading a fundraising initiative to offset the hefty bill.

“We want to inform all Kenyans that your government has left you to your own devices,” the union chairperson Peterson Wachira said during a press conference on Monday.

For ignoring their pleas, Wachira said “It is the government that is on strike.”

But what are their grievances?

The clinical officers want a comprehensive insurance that will include compensation to the families of those who will succumb to the disease.

They also want the government to provide them with proper protective gear that include medical goggles and N95 face masks.

Also, in their list of demand is a review of their salary, promotions and allowances.

“Similar issues as we have raised, we did so in May this year,” Wachira said.

The union has in the past held meetings, in May and August, over the same issues, but nothing came out of it, Wachira said.

Some 7,000 clinical officers are participating in the strike.