Governor Ahmed Abdullahi warns salary suspension for striking doctors
KMPDU initiated the nationwide strike following unsuccessful negotiations with the government.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has issued a stern warning, threatening to cease payments to doctors participating in the nationwide strike.
Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at the 2nd annual Quran competition, the governor directed key county departments to withhold salaries from doctors failing to report to work, citing the strike's invalidation by the courts.
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"Their strike has no legal basis, and if you leave your workstation without any reason, we will not pay your salary," he cautioned.
Ahmed emphasized that Kenya does not face a shortage of doctors, highlighting a recent job advertisement that attracted over 70 applicants for just 10 positions, hinting at the potential for replacements.
The governor revealed that Wajir County employs up to 70 doctors, with 16 on study leave, 19 returning from study leave, and 35 serving as medical officers.
Expressing disappointment, Abdullahi noted the failure of some doctors to fulfill their duties despite taxpayer-funded specialization programs and the updating of their job groups.
"Besides sending them for specialization, we have even updated their job groups, but they never report to work. We must ask ourselves what is wrong with us," he lamented.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacist and Dentist Union (KMPDU) initiated the nationwide strike following unsuccessful negotiations with the government. Their demands include resolving salary arrears, dispatching intern posting letters, honoring collective bargaining agreements, and ensuring employment under the Universal Health Coverage initiative.
While discussions have occurred, the union reports no concrete solutions. Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha announced intern postings on April 1, 2024, after clashes with the union regarding the posting date, citing significant progress in addressing doctors' concerns.
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