Doctors in Siaya County have commenced an indefinite strike, citing the county government’s failure to implement key agreements outlined in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed two years ago. The strike, announced on Wednesday at the Siaya County Referral Hospital, was led by Dr. Steve Ndong’a, Chairman of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Nyanza branch.
Dr. Ndong’a detailed the grievances driving the strike, including delayed promotions and re-designation of specialist doctors, lack of comprehensive health insurance for healthcare workers, and a severe shortage of personnel. These issues, he emphasized, have compromised the quality of care available to Siaya residents while placing immense strain on an already overburdened workforce.
“Our key grievances are promotion and re-designation, lack of health insurance, and severe shortage of personnel. This not only compromises the quality of care that citizens of Siaya County are getting but also endangers the lives and safety of our doctors and healthcare staff,” he stated.
The union highlighted that despite exhausting all diplomatic avenues, including countless appeals, the county government had failed to honor its commitments, leaving them with no alternative but to resort to industrial action. Dr. Ndong’a affirmed that the strike would continue until the grievances were resolved satisfactorily.
The situation in Siaya mirrors unrest at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, where doctors have also issued a strike notice. The facility stands accused of failing to honor the CBAs of 2017 and 2021, alongside other welfare concerns.
Dr. Davji Atellah, KMPDU National Secretary General, outlined various labor issues at MTRH, including irregular employment contracts, denial of leave, stagnation in career progression, lack of medical cover, and withholding of gratuities and pensions.
“These unfair labor practices have perpetuated a toxic work environment, leading to frustration and burnout among doctors. The hospital’s failure to address these issues violates the basic rights of our members,” Dr. Atellah said.
As the strikes escalate, the public healthcare system faces significant disruptions, potentially jeopardizing access to essential medical services. The KMPDU has called for immediate action by county and national governments to resolve the disputes, warning that the continued neglect of healthcare workers’ welfare could have dire consequences for the sector.
The union insists that honoring the agreements and improving conditions for medical professionals is critical to ensuring quality healthcare services for all Kenyans.
