NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s healthcare sector faces a looming crisis as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced a nationwide doctors’ strike set to begin on December 22.
The union cited unmet government commitments, including delays in salary payments, poor working conditions, and pay cuts for medical interns, as the primary reasons for the industrial action.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah made the announcement during a meeting with doctors at Kakamega County Referral Hospital, where frustrations boiled over regarding what the union termed as persistent “disrespect and dishonesty” from the government.
“We addressed the disdain, dishonesty, and disrespect with which the employer continues to handle our concerns. Court orders remain unheeded, return-to-work formulas are ignored, and CBAs are violated,” Dr. Atellah said.
He reiterated that doctors would not entertain “hollow boardroom negotiations and counterstrategies” any longer, declaring: “We strike today, not tomorrow.”
The impending strike follows a strike notice issued on December 10, when KMPDU first expressed frustration over the government’s failure to honor the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with medical workers.
A court ruling on October 26, 2024, had validated parts of the CBA, including remuneration for medical interns, but the union accuses authorities of ignoring the judgment.
“The national and county governments have disregarded agreements that have been respected for over seven years,” Dr. Atellah said, decrying the erosion of trust in government commitments.
The strike raises concerns about significant disruption to public healthcare services across the country, particularly during the festive season when demand typically spikes.
Doctors have long complained about systemic challenges in the public healthcare system, including inadequate medical supplies, staff shortages, and poor infrastructure.
According to KMPDU, delayed implementation of the CBA has exacerbated a staffing crisis, with many healthcare workers either quitting or being overworked to unsustainable levels.
While efforts to avert the strike appear to have stalled, the union maintains that the ball is in the government’s court.
“The fraternity has had enough,” Dr. Atellah declared, as doctors prepare to withdraw their services unless the government fulfills its promises.
The union cited unmet government commitments, including delays in salary payments, poor working conditions, and pay cuts for medical interns, as the primary reasons for the industrial action.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah made the announcement during a meeting with doctors at Kakamega County Referral Hospital, where frustrations boiled over regarding what the union termed as persistent “disrespect and dishonesty” from the government.
“We addressed the disdain, dishonesty, and disrespect with which the employer continues to handle our concerns. Court orders remain unheeded, return-to-work formulas are ignored, and CBAs are violated,” Dr. Atellah said.
He reiterated that doctors would not entertain “hollow boardroom negotiations and counterstrategies” any longer, declaring: “We strike today, not tomorrow.”
The impending strike follows a strike notice issued on December 10, when KMPDU first expressed frustration over the government’s failure to honor the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with medical workers.
A court ruling on October 26, 2024, had validated parts of the CBA, including remuneration for medical interns, but the union accuses authorities of ignoring the judgment.
“The national and county governments have disregarded agreements that have been respected for over seven years,” Dr. Atellah said, decrying the erosion of trust in government commitments.
The strike raises concerns about significant disruption to public healthcare services across the country, particularly during the festive season when demand typically spikes.
Doctors have long complained about systemic challenges in the public healthcare system, including inadequate medical supplies, staff shortages, and poor infrastructure.
According to KMPDU, delayed implementation of the CBA has exacerbated a staffing crisis, with many healthcare workers either quitting or being overworked to unsustainable levels.
While efforts to avert the strike appear to have stalled, the union maintains that the ball is in the government’s court.
“The fraternity has had enough,” Dr. Atellah declared, as doctors prepare to withdraw their services unless the government fulfills its promises.
