The Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) says it has made significant progress in addressing the concerns raised by striking doctors and clinical officers as it intensifies efforts to end the industrial action that has disrupted public health services across the capital.
In a statement issued on Thursday, County Executive Committee Member for Health, Wellness and Nutrition Suzanne Silantoi said the county has maintained continuous engagement with health sector unions and implemented key reforms aimed at improving the welfare and working conditions of healthcare workers.
Silantoi noted that the county has rolled out comprehensive medical cover for health workers under the SHA Civil Servants Scheme, progressed promotions across common cadre job groups, and allocated Ksh.424 million through a supplementary budget to clear all pending promotions. She added that more than 98 per cent of health workers have been confirmed on permanent and pensionable terms, with all salaries and statutory third-party deductions fully paid.
Against this backdrop, the county directed doctors and clinical officers currently on strike to resume work within 12 hours, warning that failure to comply would result in disciplinary action and loss of pay. NCCG also sought to reassure residents that public health services remain operational in all county health facilities.
“The Nairobi City County Government remains fully committed to resolving labour-related issues through dialogue, while ensuring that healthcare services continue uninterrupted for all Nairobi residents,” Silantoi said.
The county further clarified that gratuity obligations linked to service under the former Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) fall under the National Government. However, NCCG said it has committed to settling gratuity for periods served under the County Government and continues to engage national authorities to secure a comprehensive and lasting resolution.
Expressing concern over what it described as the politicisation of the strike, the county said the industrial action has caused unnecessary disruption to essential health services. Silantoi stressed that while dialogue remains open, patient welfare must remain the top priority.
“While we remain open to dialogue, the disruption of essential health services is unacceptable, and all health workers on strike are required to resume duty to safeguard the well-being of Nairobians,” she said.
Despite the ongoing strike, the county assured residents that services at all public health facilities remain available and urged the public to continue seeking medical care without fear. NCCG reiterated its commitment to delivering quality, accessible and uninterrupted healthcare services.
Public health services in Nairobi have, however, been severely affected for the third consecutive week following the withdrawal of labour by healthcare workers. Doctors have been on strike for 27 days, while clinical officers have been off duty for 23 days.
Doctors began their industrial action in mid-December, with clinical officers joining shortly thereafter. The workers have maintained that they will not return to work until all outstanding payments are settled and their grievances fully addressed. Clinical officers’ key demands include the payment of salary arrears, implementation of a salary review, operationalisation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and permanent employment for staff engaged under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.
