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Doctors' strike to continue as KMPDU slams government inaction

Striking doctors demonstrate outside the Ministry of Health headquarters in Nairobi on April 9, 2024. (Photo: Courtesy)

By Hanifa Adan | Saturday, May 4, 2024

The union is also accusing government officials of relying on "veiled threats and blackmail" rather than genuine dialogue.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Bhimji has released a stern statement following another unsuccessful negotiation with the government, which prolonged the 52-day doctors' strike.

They claim the government's refusal to address several critical issues raised by the National Advisory Council (NAC) has led to a deadlock. The union is also accusing government officials of relying on "veiled threats and blackmail" rather than genuine dialogue.

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"KMPDU will not be ambushed nor coerced to sign a document that goes against our 2017 CBA," the Secretary-General stated.

The ongoing dispute centres around the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 2017, which, according to the union, has been largely neglected by various counties and the Ministry of Health.

Despite an implementation matrix agreed upon by health stakeholders as recently as January 6, 2023, the Secretary-General accused the government of non-compliance and bad faith in negotiations.

"The most recent progressive process resulted in an implementation matrix signed on January 6, 2023, by CS for Health, CoG Representatives and the union. Yet, the government does not intend to negotiate in good faith," Davji added.

At the latest meeting intended to resolve the strike on Friday, the government allegedly presented a Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) agreeable only to them and proceeded to sign it unilaterally, contravening previous court rulings.

"The government has consistently said that they have conceded to 99.9 per cent of the issues we wanted addressed. Today, we challenge them to make public these 18 issues and the timelines, otherwise, we shall expose them for the dishonest men and women that they are," the Secretary-General continued.

The statement also criticized the government's handling of the strike amid national crises such as floods, which pose additional health risks.

"More than ever, we now believe that this government does not care about Kenyans," the Secretary-General added, reflecting the union's disappointment and urgency under the grave circumstances.

The KMPDU remains steadfast, planning to take their grievances to court the following Monday.

"Tough times don't last, tough people do, because when impunity becomes law, resistance becomes a duty," the Secretary-General added.