Clinical Officers Take To The Streets During Demonstrations In Wote, Makueni On 08/09/2026. 
By Fredrick Kioko,
A demonstration by clinical officers in Makueni turned chaotic after suspected goons allegedly stormed the protest and assaulted the health workers with crude weapons.
The clinical officers had gathered in Wote to present their grievances to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, demanding the implementation of agreements contained in their Return-to-Work Formula and improvements to their terms of service and career progression.
At the heart of the dispute is the demand for the creation of a Director of Clinical Services position at Job Group R, which the medics say would provide proper leadership and recognition for the profession within the county health system.
The officers are also pushing for full implementation of their Career Guidelines approved by the Public Service Commission, with the changes backdated to May 8, 2024.
According to KUCO Makueni Chair Mathew Sila, the medics are further demanding enhanced risk allowances and payment of all outstanding arrears.
“Our officers are pushing for the issuance of Permanent and Pensionable letters, including for eligible clinical officers serving under programmes associated with Universal Health Coverage,” Sila said.
The situation reportedly escalated when some of the suspected attackers sought refuge inside the governor’s offices after allegedly assaulting the protesters. Attempts by the clinical officers to confront and eject them were unsuccessful.
KUCO National Treasurer Mary Bonface condemned the incident and called for an apology from the county government, as well as investigations into the alleged assault.
“The events of the day raise concerns over the safety of health workers exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression. We are calling for investigations into the assault and demand that those responsible be held accountable,” Bonface said.
The Makueni County Government later apologised to the medics through the office of the Chief Officer for Health Services and said it had already made progress in addressing some of their grievances, urging the officers to remain patient as the remaining issues are resolved.
Dr Mulei Mbithi, however, pointed to inadequate funding and staffing as a major challenge facing the county health sector, saying more resources were needed to employ additional health workers.
“National government should make sure that we have enough funds in the county governments to employ. I have 171 dispensaries that are manned by only one person. That is a serious crisis,” Dr Mbithi said.
