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KMPDU rejects reports of signing return-to-work deal with govt

Doctors and medical practitioners under the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) participate in a demonstration in Nairobi on April 16, 2024. (Photo: Monicah Mwangi/Reuters)

By John Mbati | 03 May 2024

President William Ruto asked doctors to end their strike as the government sought to meet their demands.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah, has refuted reports alleging that medics have struck an agreement with the government to end their nationwide strike.

Atellah, while speaking to the Eastleigh Voice on Friday, stated that the reports claiming they would sign a return-to-work formula with the government today were false and misleading.

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“Not yet. Propaganda and rumours,” Atellah stated.

The reports were shared widely on social media platforms in what appears to be a coordinated campaign by a section of government fanatics and operatives.

One post by a tweep identified as Kenny Kaburu, who claims to be a political, governance, and strategic communication expert, read, “BREAKTHROUGH: Kenyans can breathe a sigh of relief as the National and County Governments, along with the KMPDU, have reached an agreement to end the ongoing strike by medical practitioners.

“The signing of the return-to-work formula at 2:30 PM today comes after lingering issues between the government and healthcare professionals have been resolved.

This same post was shared by Gerald Bitok, the director of public communication at State House.

“Relief for Kenyans as national and county governments sign a return to work formula with KMPDU today at 2:30 pm. Follows the resolution of the outstanding issues between the government and the medical practitioners,” Bitok’s post on X read.

On Thursday, the High Court directed the government and striking doctors to sign a return-to-work formula by Monday next week.

Chairperson of Governors, Anne Waiguru (C), Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, and Health CS Susan Nakhumicha, among other leaders, address the ongoing doctors' strike stalemate in April 2024. Photo: (X/AnneWaiguru)

The Employment and Labour Relations Court declined to order KMPDU to call off their nationwide strike prior to signing the agreement.

Health CS Sussan Nakhumicha and the Council of Governors, led by Kirinyaga’s county boss, Anne Waiguru, wanted the doctors to return to work before the differing parties signed a new deal.

However, Justice Byram Ongaya ordered the doctors and government to set aside the contentious issue of salaries for intern doctors, as it was to be heard and mentioned by a similar court in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

Waiguru, speaking on behalf of all governors, warned that counties had resorted to firing doctors who refused to return to their station duties.

President William Ruto, however, asked doctors to end their strike as the government sought to meet their demands.

“We have tabled what the government is ready to do; 17 out of the 19 demands, the rest is not possible because of financial constraints,” Ruto pleaded on Wednesday during Labour Day celebrations.

“I beseech doctors to go back to work. We will sort things out and fix the economy, and everyone will get their due in the future. We must be brutally honest with one another. There is no need to lie,” he added.