Nationwide Strike Looms as Doctors Demand Urgent Workplace Reforms

Doctors in Kiambu County have declared their readiness to join a nationwide strike on December 22, 2024, in solidarity with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU). The union is protesting delayed salaries, lack of promotions, and the government’s failure to honor a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with medical workers.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah announced the strike during a visit to Kiambu Level V Hospital on Wednesday, citing mounting frustration among healthcare professionals due to severe salary delays and poor working conditions.

“Doctors are grappling with delayed salaries, some unpaid for up to nine months, unlawful payroll removals, lack of promotions, and overwhelming workloads caused by the county’s refusal to recruit additional healthcare workers,” Dr. Atellah said.

He criticized Kiambu County as one of the most challenging employers, consistently disregarding the 2017 Return to Work Formula (RTWF) and the CBA. He also highlighted the government’s failure to pay medical interns as stipulated in the CBA, which has worsened morale and created a hostile work environment.

Doctors at the facility reaffirmed their solidarity and commitment to the strike, demanding urgent reforms to protect the medical profession and ensure compliance with agreements.

“Despite these glaring injustices, we stand united and ready for the nationwide strike. Our skills, solidarity, and unity will restore dignity to our profession and secure justice for healthcare workers,” Dr. Atellah stated.

He also condemned the government’s failure to implement an October court ruling validating the CBA and criticized the reduction of intern wages by 70%, calling it unprecedented and unacceptable.

The strike, ratified by the KMPDU on November 30, seeks to address these grievances and uphold the rights of medical professionals across Kenya.