The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has once again put the government on notice, reaffirming its plan to embark on a nationwide doctors’ strike on December 22. This decision, according to the union, is a culmination of frustration over unmet promises and what they describe as the government’s disregard for agreements made with medical professionals. The strike, expected to disrupt healthcare services across the country during the festive season, has been triggered by a host of grievances, primarily revolving around poor working conditions, delayed salary payments, and pay cuts, especially for medical interns.
Frustration Mounts Over Unmet Promises
Dr. Davji Atella, the Secretary General of KMPDU, made the announcement during a meeting with doctors in Kakamega at the county’s referral hospital. The meeting was characterized by a sense of urgency and resolve among the medics, who expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of their concerns. Dr. Atella highlighted that the strike was a response to a long-standing pattern of disregard from the government. He criticized the government’s failure to adhere to court orders, particularly the judgment delivered on October 26, 2024, which validated the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) concerning the remuneration package for medical interns.
In his statement, Dr. Atella emphasized the significance of this strike, stating, “We addressed the disdain, dishonesty, and disrespect with which the employer continues to handle our concerns. Court orders remain unheeded, Return-to-work formulas (RTWF) are ignored, CBAs are violated and dismantled.” He further noted, “The fraternity has had enough. Deliberations concluded with a resounding, united call to action: We strike today, not tomorrow. From midnight, December 22, 2024, we are taking to the streets and staying at home. This is no longer the time for hollow boardroom negotiations and counterstrategies. We demand the government honours its promises and implements our agreements.”
A Growing Crisis in the Healthcare Sector
The KMPDU’s decision to strike underscores a growing crisis in the healthcare sector in Kenya. For years, healthcare workers have been voicing concerns over inadequate support from the government, particularly when it comes to the implementation of agreed terms in CBAs. The union’s frustration stems from what they describe as a disregard for commitments made, which has seen years of negotiations and agreements being undermined by administrative directives. The doctors argue that these repeated breaches have led to a severe decline in morale among healthcare workers, with many contemplating leaving the public sector due to poor conditions.
Disregard for Agreements and Court Orders
Efforts to resolve the grievances have not borne fruit, leaving the union with no choice but to proceed with the industrial action. This move comes just weeks after KMPDU initially issued a nationwide strike notice on December 10, citing ongoing neglect by the government. The union warned that the national and county governments had totally disregarded the agreements, which had been upheld for over seven years. Dr. Atella described the situation as “an extraordinary time when promises and agreements are not honored and mean nothing, a time when Collective Bargaining Agreements that have been honored and respected for over 7 years can be bastardized by one government directive.”
The KMPDU has also raised concerns about the government’s contempt for court orders, pointing out how the judgment on October 26 validated the CBA on the remuneration package for medical interns, only for these agreements to be ignored subsequently. According to Dr. Atella, “While the public continues to suffer from poor medical care at public facilities, coupled with inadequate medical supplies, delays in enacting the CBA have led to a dwindling number of healthcare workers, with those remaining being severely overworked.”
The Need for Urgent Government Action
The KMPDU’s frustration with the government’s handling of the healthcare sector is shared by many Kenyans, who have seen a steady decline in the quality of public healthcare services over the years. The union’s ultimatum is a stark reminder of the dire need for the government to honor its promises and implement agreements that guarantee better working conditions and fair pay for healthcare professionals. As the countdown to the strike begins, there is a growing concern that the disruption of services could be particularly damaging during a period when many people rely heavily on public health facilities.
