Kenya, May 13 -- Thousands of clinical officers flooded Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday, bringing major streets to a standstill in a massive protest that underscored deep-seated frustrations within Kenya's health sector.
The demonstration, organized by the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), saw crowds occupying key thoroughfares, disrupting transport and business operations.
Thousands of protesters marched from Green Park Terminus to Afya House, the Ministry of Health headquarters, demanding better working conditions, unpaid salaries, and the implementation of the 2024 return-to-work formula.
They also voiced concerns over their exclusion from the Social Health Authority (SHA).
"They have denied clinical officers the rights to access health services and shown favoritism," KUCO Chairperson Peter Wachira stated during the protest.
Videos circulating on social media captured the scale of the demonstration, with clinical officers in white coats chanting and waving placards, halting traffic across the CBD.
"The Kenya Clinical Officers are currently holding a mother of protests in Nairobi CBD. They have occupied everywhere," sources said, reflecting the intensity of the action.
The protest follows a two-week strike by clinical officers in Nairobi County, with grievances centred on stalled career guidelines approved by the Public Service Commission.
The health workers' action coincides with similar demands from Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program staff, who joined the march to highlight unpaid salaries and poor working conditions.
Nairobi police deployed heavily to manage the crowds, but no reports of violence or arrests emerged by midday.
Businesses along Moi Avenue and Kenyatta Avenue remained closed, with commuters facing significant delays. "We've been stuck for hours," said Mary Wanjiku, a stranded passenger. "Their concerns are valid, but it's tough for everyone else."
The protest marks the latest in a series of health sector strikes, raising alarm about the government's ability to address systemic issues in healthcare delivery.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.