The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has launched a stinging critique of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, accusing his administration of gross mismanagement of the county’s healthcare system. In a strongly worded statement released Monday, KUCO outlined plans for peaceful demonstrations in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 17, to highlight the deteriorating state of public health facilities and to present a formal petition to county authorities.

According to KUCO, healthcare in the capital is on the brink of collapse, with many facilities operating under severe strain—or not at all. The union blames the county government’s inaction and disregard for long-standing grievances raised by clinical officers, including failure to implement career progression guidelines, delayed staff promotions, and stalling of re-designations.

“Many facilities around Nairobi are not functioning optimally, and those still operational are doing so under strained conditions,” said Peterson Wachira, KUCO’s National Chairperson. “What is most alarming is the carefree attitude of the county government toward this crisis.”

The planned protest comes amid a three-month strike involving more than 500 clinical officers, who have downed tools over what they say are broken promises from City Hall. Despite directives from the Public Service Commission (PSC) in May 2024 mandating immediate implementation of new career structures, the county has allegedly failed to act.

“Our members have stagnated in the same job group for years,” said Stephen Muthama, KUCO Nairobi Branch Chair. “There is now a national policy document providing for structured career growth, but the county leadership continues to ignore it.”

KUCO’s Secretary General, George Gibore, painted a grim picture of Nairobi’s public healthcare, describing it as “dilapidated” and accusing top health officials of incompetence and undermining negotiations. He warned that 74 Level 2, 43 Level 3, and 12 Level 4 facilities have been crippled by the strike, with only one Level 5 hospital offering limited services—mainly through interns.

Gibore also called on elected leaders beyond Governor Sakaja, including Nairobi’s Senator and Woman Representative, to publicly engage with the crisis and support urgent reforms.

“We are reminding Nairobi residents that this is not just a governor’s issue,” Gibore emphasized. “We want to hear from all leaders elected to serve this county.”

As Nairobi’s public health system falters under ongoing staff strikes and administrative inertia, KUCO’s upcoming protest aims to amplify the voices of frontline healthcare workers and demand overdue reforms to safeguard the wellbeing of both practitioners and patients.