NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a 21-day strike notice, warning of a nationwide work stoppage starting at midnight on December 22.
This looming industrial action could cripple public healthcare during the festive season.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah announced the strike during a press conference on November 27, accusing the government of reneging on key agreements, including the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) signed earlier this year.
Atellah criticized the government’s failure to pay intern doctors and implement agreed-upon salary scales, blaming these lapses for deepening financial struggles within the medical community.
He cited the tragic suicides of two intern doctors in recent months as evidence of the dire situation.
“We are saddened by the two lives lost—dedicated professionals who were failed by the system,” Atellah said. “The government’s neglect has created an untenable situation.”
The last doctors’ strike, in late 2023, paralyzed public health services for 56 days, forcing the government to negotiate under court intervention.
Despite seven months passing since the RTWF agreement, Atellah said the government has shown no commitment to its promises.
This time, the union is taking a hardline stance. Atellah ruled out any dialogue, accusing officials of exploiting goodwill without delivering results.
“Seven months is too long to wait for empty promises,” he declared. “When the strike begins, no one should approach us with talks of goodwill or negotiation. It’s time for action.”
The strike announcement will officially be made on November 30 during the union’s National Delegates Conference at Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel.
The KMPDU blames the government’s inaction for a health sector in crisis.
Beyond unpaid salaries, doctors face inadequate resources and overwhelming workloads.
Atellah argued that the government prioritizes taxes over public service delivery, leaving healthcare workers unsupported.
“We are striking because the government doesn’t care about Kenyans. They care about taxes, not about saving lives,” he said.
The union also accused the government of ignoring court orders related to healthcare agreements.
This looming industrial action could cripple public healthcare during the festive season.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah announced the strike during a press conference on November 27, accusing the government of reneging on key agreements, including the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) signed earlier this year.
Atellah criticized the government’s failure to pay intern doctors and implement agreed-upon salary scales, blaming these lapses for deepening financial struggles within the medical community.
He cited the tragic suicides of two intern doctors in recent months as evidence of the dire situation.
“We are saddened by the two lives lost—dedicated professionals who were failed by the system,” Atellah said. “The government’s neglect has created an untenable situation.”
The last doctors’ strike, in late 2023, paralyzed public health services for 56 days, forcing the government to negotiate under court intervention.
Despite seven months passing since the RTWF agreement, Atellah said the government has shown no commitment to its promises.
This time, the union is taking a hardline stance. Atellah ruled out any dialogue, accusing officials of exploiting goodwill without delivering results.
“Seven months is too long to wait for empty promises,” he declared. “When the strike begins, no one should approach us with talks of goodwill or negotiation. It’s time for action.”
The strike announcement will officially be made on November 30 during the union’s National Delegates Conference at Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel.
The KMPDU blames the government’s inaction for a health sector in crisis.
Beyond unpaid salaries, doctors face inadequate resources and overwhelming workloads.
Atellah argued that the government prioritizes taxes over public service delivery, leaving healthcare workers unsupported.
“We are striking because the government doesn’t care about Kenyans. They care about taxes, not about saving lives,” he said.
The union also accused the government of ignoring court orders related to healthcare agreements.
