'Point of no return': KMPDU says doctors' strike begins tonight

Doctors will begin striking on Wednesday night as the government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have failed to reach an agreement.

The KMPDU announced the decision early on Wednesday, saying the government of President William Ruto had failed to address their concerns, including the lack of internship postings and promotions.

Deputy Secretary-General Dennis Miskellah said the strike is the only way to bring the government to the negotiating table.

"It is with great disappointment that we announce the commencement of our nationwide strike from tonight, the 13th of March 2024," he declared.  "The withdrawal of labour and skills is the only way a worker can compel a heartless employer to come to the table."

KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah said Kenya's medical workers were "at a point of no return".

"We advise our doctors across the country to begin discharging patients and referring them," said Atella.

The union last week issued a seven-day nationwide strike notice, demanding promotions, medical cover, internships, postgraduate fee payments, study leave, and pensions from the government.

KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah is pictured with a medic ahead of a press conference at their headquarters in Nairobi on March 13, 2024, regarding their planned strike. (Photo: KMPDU)

On March 4, 2024, members staged a protest over the same issues and an assault on Atellah, who said he was injured by a tear gas canister fired by the police during a previous protest.

At the time, Miskellah said there was no room to negotiate on matters such as internships for graduates, who have also held demonstrations in demand for government action to end posting delays.

"For now, I pray and hope that we remain strong, united, and alert to people who want to claw back on our gains. The issue of internships cannot be negotiated. We had the CBA, and the minister cannot purport that she will change the rules," he said.

"Interns are the backbone of our healthcare system. Let's stand with our brothers and sisters. The issue of school fees cannot be negotiated. The deal on our medical cover cannot be negotiated. We want all issues addressed comprehensively once and for all. We had intended to strike in June, but they made us bring it forward."

According to the KMPDU, 1,215 medical interns are awaiting posting, with some having waited six months to a year.

Earlier on Wednesday, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni asked the KMPDU not to proceed with the strike.

Muthoni acknowledged the existing tensions but urged the union to abstain from industrial action and explore alternative dispute-resolution channels.

"I am pleading with the unions to come to the table so that we can move forward together. I am also pleading with them not to go on strike," she said on Citizen TV's Daybreak show.

The PS admitted that some issues remained unresolved but said striking was not the best course of action.

"We have been meeting with the unions for the last week to try and crack down on the stalemate to ensure we progress together as a country. It is not in the interest of any of us, those in the ministry or the unions for them to down their tools," she stated.

On March 5, 2024, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha appealed to doctors and protesting medical interns, asking them to consider dialogue to resolve the issues they had raised.

"My call to the union is to allow a conversation to take place as there are many things we need to discuss. A strike will not resolve this problem," Nakhumicha said.

She noted that besides the Health Ministry, stakeholders in the matter include the county government, the Labour, Treasury, and Education ministries, the Public Service Commission, and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and that they must all be involved in talks.

"The Ministry of Health is a very small stakeholder in this matter," she said.