Medical Laboratory Officers Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Ebola Preparedness

Kenya’s medical laboratory officers have threatened a nationwide strike unless the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors address gaps in Ebola preparedness and longstanding labour disputes. The Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers has given the two institutions 14 days from 27 October 2026 to demonstrate tangible progress, warning that county laboratory officers lack adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training in specimen handling, infection prevention and outbreak response. 

 The union has also criticised the KSh 3,000 risk allowance as inadequate and has called for properly equipped decentralised testing facilities to strengthen outbreak response. Beyond Ebola preparedness, it is demanding negotiations for its first collective bargaining agreement, approval of revised career progression guidelines, recognition agreements with 11 counties, and the resolution of outstanding trade disputes. The union has further raised concerns about new laboratory licensing requirements, calling for a non-practice allowance to compensate officers affected by these restrictions.  

(Source: Daily Nation)