Health

Doctors' strike: KMPDU postpones protest to focus on talks with state

An activist holds a placard in front of police officers, as doctors and medical practitioners under the KMPDU participate in a demonstration, as part of their strike, in Nairobi on April 16, 2024. (Photo: Monicah Mwangi/Reuters)

By Lucy Mumbi | Tuesday, May 7, 2024

This follows several failed rounds of negotiations, which have seen the government unilaterally sign a return-to-work formula.

The doctors' union, which has been leading a strike since March 15 in pursuit of reforms in the health sector, has delayed planned peaceful demonstrations originally set for Tuesday.

In a letter to union members, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) said the goal was to facilitate continued negotiations with the government.

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“This decision comes in light of ongoing negotiations that have been scheduled for today. We believe that engaging in the negotiation is crucial in addressing the concerns and grievances that led to the planned demonstration,” read the letter signed by Secretary-General Davji Atellah.

He did not state when the protests would take place but added that updates would be given as talks took place.

“The union remains committed to keeping you updated on any developments regarding the negotiations and the rescheduled date for the demonstration. We apologise for any inconveniences caused by this change in plans and appreciate your understanding."

On Saturday, the union slammed the government after negotiations failed, noting it would neither be ambushed nor coerced to sign a document that contradicted a collective bargaining agreement reached in 2017 after a strike that lasted a record 100 days.

Last week, the government presented a return-to-work formula that KMPDU officials said was agreeable only to it and signed it unilaterally, contravening previous court rulings.

"The government has consistently said that they have conceded 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," Atellah said.

"Doctors have been on strike since March 14, voicing their discontent with the government's failure to assign medical interns and uphold the terms outlined in a 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) concerning their labour conditions," he explained.

Thus far, no deal has been reached since the government initiated negotiations using the 'Whole of the Nation Approach'. The government side is headed by a committee that includes representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

In the discussions, the government proposed a compensation of Sh70,000 for medical interns, far below the Sh206,000 specified in the CBA, which the doctors have rejected.