Clinical Officers in Kenya to Earn Up to Ksh338,000 After New Pay Agreement

Clinical officers in Kenya are set to enjoy a rise in salaries and better career opportunities following the signing of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between county governments and their union.

The agreement was signed in Nairobi by the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), ending nearly eight years of negotiations and disputes over pay and working conditions.

According to officials, the new CBA is a major step toward resolving long-standing issues affecting clinical officers, including salary structures, promotions, and employment terms. These issues have previously led to strikes and disruptions in healthcare services across the country.

The Council of Governors said the agreement would help stabilise the health sector by improving staff retention and ensuring counties can keep skilled healthcare workers amid rising demand.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, CoG officials noted that funding challenges had slowed progress in earlier negotiations. They cited reduced allocations to county governments following changes in the national finance framework as one of the key obstacles.

Health unions have in recent months threatened industrial action over unmet promises, including delayed salary reviews and the lack of permanent and pensionable employment terms.

KUCO leaders welcomed the agreement, describing it as a crucial milestone in addressing unfair pay and limited career growth opportunities among clinical officers.

New Salary Structure for Clinical Officers

Under the new CBA, clinical officers will earn significantly higher salaries depending on their location and job group.

• The lowest-paid clinical officer in urban areas will earn about Ksh110,900 per month.

• Those working in rural areas will earn around Ksh105,900.

• The highest-paid clinical officer in urban areas will earn at least Ksh338,010.

• In rural areas, the top earners will receive approximately Ksh330,010.

Career Progression and Specialisation

The agreement also introduces new opportunities for career growth. Clinical officers with higher diplomas will now enter the workforce at the same grade as degree holders and can rise to higher job groups.

A new category of Clinical Specialists has also been created for master’s degree holders. Degree-level clinical officers will have the option to specialise and pursue further studies to access higher positions and better pay.

Implementation Timeline

The new pay deal will take effect from July 1, 2025 and will run until June 2029. County governments have also committed to paying salary arrears owed from the previous year.

The signing comes amid concerns about possible disruptions in healthcare services, as unions had earlier issued strike notices in January 2026 over unresolved grievances related to salary structures and career progression.

Both the union and county governments have pledged to continue consultations to ensure the agreement is fully implemented, warning that failure to honour the deal could trigger fresh tensions in the health sector.

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