NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s healthcare sector got a much-needed reprieve after a landmark agreement between the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the Ministry of Health, and the Council of Governors successfully averted a nationwide doctors’ strike.
The deal, presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, marks a major step forward in addressing long-standing issues affecting medical professionals while safeguarding essential healthcare services for millions of Kenyans.
Deputy President Kindiki lauded the agreement as a testament to constructive dialogue and mutual commitment.
“The government welcomes the selfless decision of the doctors to suspend the strike and engage constructively for the benefit of all Kenyans,” he said during the signing ceremony at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi.
The agreement includes a provision to pay intern doctors a monthly salary of KSh 206,000, fulfilling a key term of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Kindiki described the deal as a significant milestone that underscores the government’s dedication to strengthening healthcare delivery systems.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah also praised the agreement, noting that outstanding salary arrears for doctors will now be addressed as outlined in the CBA.
“This is a critical step toward resolving issues that have plagued the health sector,” Atellah emphasized, adding that it paves the way for more collaborative efforts in the future.
The agreement comes on the heels of a December 3 strike notice issued by KMPDU, citing the government’s failure to implement key aspects of the 2017 CBA.
These included the timely payment of intern doctors’ salaries and adherence to the Return-to-Work formula agreed upon during previous industrial disputes.
The specter of a doctors’ strike had raised alarms, especially given the devastating impact of the last nationwide industrial action, which paralyzed public health services for 56 days. During that period, countless Kenyans were left without access to critical medical care.
Deputy President Kindiki commended the medical fraternity for choosing dialogue over industrial action, calling the decision a win for the public and the healthcare sector alike.With the new agreement now in place, both the government and KMPDU expressed optimism about ongoing collaboration to address systemic issues in the health sector.
