NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s healthcare system could face a major disruption this December as unionized medics under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) gear up for a nationwide strike.
Frustrated by the government’s failure to address long-standing grievances, the medics are planning a Special Delegates Conference to finalize their strike plans.
The looming strike stems from what KMPDU describes as the government’s neglect of a return-to-work agreement reached earlier this year after a grueling 56-day strike.
The union accuses authorities of failing to implement revised salary scales and slashing interns’ stipends from Sh206,000 to Sh70,000, a move ordered by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah criticized the government’s inaction. “Seven months of broken promises is far too long. When we call the strike, no one should approach us with talks of goodwill or negotiations,” Atellah said.
The potential strike could leave thousands of Kenyans without access to critical healthcare services.
Atellah warned of dire consequences if the government fails to act, stating, “We know it will be a sad situation, but the government is entirely responsible and must take the blame for the innocent lives that will be lost during our total shutdown.”
The union has repeatedly highlighted the detrimental effects of delayed action on the welfare of medical professionals, who continue to work under strained conditions.
As the December deadline approaches, KMPDU has called on the government to urgently fulfill its promises, signaling that the medics’ patience has run out.
Without a resolution, the union’s planned strike could paralyze Kenya’s already fragile healthcare system.
This standoff serves as a stark reminder of the need for meaningful dialogue and timely action to address grievances in the healthcare sector.
