KNUMLO National Chair Nicholas Odipo addressing the Media in Machakos. Photo Virginia Siebela 
By Virginia Siebela
A major health crisis is unfolding in Machakos County as Medical Laboratory Officers have officially downed their tools, bringing operations across all public health facilities to a grinding halt. The strike, spearheaded by the Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), stems from a string of unresolved grievances dating back to last year.
Union officials had issued a 14-day strike notice, which lapsed on Tuesday, prompting today’s full-blown industrial action after failed last-minute negotiations with county officials.
Addressing the press, KNUMLO National Chair Nicholas Odipo condemned the county government for years of inaction, citing key issues such as failure to promote medics, wrongful placement of officers in lower job groups, and the advertisement of positions that undermine members’ qualifications and professional ranks.
“It’s alarming that in Kenya, workers must resort to strikes for their concerns to be addressed,” Odipo said. “It is unacceptable for any government to respond only when health services are withdrawn. We will not compromise on the issue of promotions.”
Odipo revealed that some laboratory professionals have stagnated in the same job group for over seven years, with no career progression despite meeting all the necessary qualifications and performance metrics.
The union insists the strike will remain in force until all demands are fully addressed, with Odipo declaring, “We demand 100% compliance on our grievances. Our members should stay away from work until justice is served.”
KNUMLO National Secretary-General Pius Nyakundi echoed these sentiments, criticizing what he termed as a "discriminatory and dismissive" response from the county government.
“We represent 150 members in Machakos County alone. The county must follow the human resource advisory manuals as stipulated by law and stop subjecting our members to systemic injustices,” Nyakundi stated.
The strike is expected to significantly impact critical healthcare services, including maternity care, dialysis, cancer treatment, ICU operations, surgeries, and routine outpatient laboratory diagnostics—putting thousands of patients at risk.
As the standoff persists, residents of Machakos County are urged to seek alternative healthcare services, with no immediate end to the strike in sight.
