NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has released Sh965 million to clear unpaid stipends and arrears for healthcare interns across the country, the Ministry of Health announced on Saturday.
This move comes as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) intensifies pressure over delayed payments, warning of an impending nationwide strike.
According to the ministry, the funds will address both regular stipends and accumulated arrears for nursing, clinical, medical, dental, and pharmacy interns.
The breakdown includes Sh528 million allocated to clear arrears and Sh110 million for monthly stipends for nursing and clinical officers.
An additional Sh326 million has been set aside to pay arrears owed to medical officers, dental officers, and pharmacist interns.
“This 100 per cent payment ensures that all posted interns in the specified cadres receive their dues without delay,” Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said in the statement.
The funds will benefit 826 medical officer interns, 274 pharmacists, 71 dentists, 140 degree clinical officers, 1,185 degree nursing officers, and 1,251 diploma clinical officers, according to the ministry.
The disbursement comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions with healthcare workers, particularly interns, who have decried a four-month delay in salary payments.
Earlier this week, KMPDU Secretary General Devji Atellah directed intern doctors to boycott workstations, citing severe financial hardships.
“These delays have pushed some interns to the brink, with tragic consequences,” Atellah said, revealing that two intern doctors recently lost their lives due to financial distress.
He also disclosed that four others had attempted suicide but were rescued and hospitalised.
The union has accused the government of reneging on agreements outlined in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and a return-to-work formula signed earlier this year.
In response, KMPDU has scheduled a national delegates’ conference for November 30 at Safari Park Hotel, with the primary agenda being the declaration of a strike.
The delayed payments and alleged breach of agreements have exacerbated frustrations among healthcare workers, further straining an already burdened public health system.
While the disbursement of Sh965 million marks a significant step, it remains to be seen whether it will forestall the threatened industrial action.
This move comes as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) intensifies pressure over delayed payments, warning of an impending nationwide strike.
According to the ministry, the funds will address both regular stipends and accumulated arrears for nursing, clinical, medical, dental, and pharmacy interns.
The breakdown includes Sh528 million allocated to clear arrears and Sh110 million for monthly stipends for nursing and clinical officers.
An additional Sh326 million has been set aside to pay arrears owed to medical officers, dental officers, and pharmacist interns.
“This 100 per cent payment ensures that all posted interns in the specified cadres receive their dues without delay,” Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said in the statement.
The funds will benefit 826 medical officer interns, 274 pharmacists, 71 dentists, 140 degree clinical officers, 1,185 degree nursing officers, and 1,251 diploma clinical officers, according to the ministry.
The disbursement comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions with healthcare workers, particularly interns, who have decried a four-month delay in salary payments.
Earlier this week, KMPDU Secretary General Devji Atellah directed intern doctors to boycott workstations, citing severe financial hardships.
“These delays have pushed some interns to the brink, with tragic consequences,” Atellah said, revealing that two intern doctors recently lost their lives due to financial distress.
He also disclosed that four others had attempted suicide but were rescued and hospitalised.
The union has accused the government of reneging on agreements outlined in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and a return-to-work formula signed earlier this year.
In response, KMPDU has scheduled a national delegates’ conference for November 30 at Safari Park Hotel, with the primary agenda being the declaration of a strike.
The delayed payments and alleged breach of agreements have exacerbated frustrations among healthcare workers, further straining an already burdened public health system.
While the disbursement of Sh965 million marks a significant step, it remains to be seen whether it will forestall the threatened industrial action.
