Doctors plan Monday demonstrations in Nairobi ahead of December 22 strike
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah.
Doctors have announced plans to hold a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi on Monday, December 16, 2024, to protest the delay in implementing a return-to-work formula and a collective bargaining agreement signed after a work boycott that ended in May 2024.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) said the planned demonstration was aimed at forcing the government to implement long-standing CBAs and agreements signed between the union and the government.
In a formal letter addressed to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said the picket would begin at 8 am and proceed from Kenyatta National Hospital to Nairobi Hospital, the Ministry of Health offices at Afya House and Parliament Buildings.
The union is seeking police security to ensure a peaceful demonstration.
The main issue prompting the protest is over unresolved CBAs, including the one dated June 30, 2017, and a Return-To-Work-Formula (RTWF) agreement signed on May 8, 2024.
These agreements were reached between the union and various government departments, including the Ministry of Health, national and county governments and other stakeholders.
The union argues that the non-implementation of the pacts has had far-reaching consequences on the welfare of doctors and the delivery of health services in both the public and private sectors.
"We will abide by all regulations and guidelines issued by your office," Dr Atellah stressed.
The letter was copied to key security offices, including the Regional Police Commander - Nairobi Region and the OCS offices at Central and Kilimani Police Stations.
The doctors' union has also reaffirmed plans to launch a nationwide doctors' strike on December 22, citing frustration at the government's failure to deliver on its promises.
Dr Atellah announced the plans during a meeting with doctors in Kakamega at the county's referral hospital.
He emphasised that the government’s repeated failure to address key issues has left the medical fraternity with no alternative but to down their tools.
The strike is in protest of various grievances, including poor working conditions, delayed salaries, pay cuts, and particularly the plight of medical interns, who have faced significant financial challenges.
“We addressed the disdain, dishonesty, and disrespect with which the employer continues to handle our concerns. Court orders remain unheeded, Return-To-Work Formulas (RTWF) are ignored, and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) are violated and dismantled,” said Dr. Atellah in a subsequent statement.
He added, “The fraternity has had enough. Deliberations concluded with a resounding, united call to action: We strike today, not tomorrow. From midnight, December 22, 2024, we are taking to the streets and staying at home. This is no longer the time for hollow boardroom negotiations and counterstrategies. We demand the government honours its promises and implements our agreements.”
