Kenyan Doctors' Strike Continues as Union Rejects Government's Return-to-Work Formula

The ongoing doctors' strike in Kenya has reached a critical impasse, with the latest round of negotiations between the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the government breaking down. The deadlock persists over salary disputes and the government's failure to recruit trainee doctors.

The KMPDU has firmly rejected the government's proposed return-to-work formula, emphasizing that the issue of fair compensation for intern doctors remains a sticking point and is critical to any agreement. The government announced that it had addressed all of the doctors' concerns, except for the salary for intern doctors, offering a $520 stipend instead of the union's demand for a $1500 monthly salary.

The strike, which began on March 14, 2024, has now entered its 42nd day, severely impacting the provision of healthcare services across public health facilities in the country. The KMPDU Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah, has notified the Nairobi Regional Police Commander of a planned peaceful march on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, aimed at compelling the Ministry of Health to address the doctors' demands.

Why this matters: The prolonged doctors' strike has left thousands of patients without access to essential medical care, disproportionately affecting women and girls who are the primary caregivers. The standoff between the government and the doctors' union raises concerns about Kenya's path towards achieving universal health coverage.

The government claims it has received Sh6.1 billion to settle the issues raised by the striking doctors, including Sh3.5 billion for health workers' salary arrears from 2017 to June 2024, Sh2.4 billion for the payment of internship programs until June this year, and Sh200 million for the payment of post-graduate arrears for doctors in specialty training. However, the KMPDU maintains that the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) gives doctors a legal mandate to claim what they are entitled to, including the payment of medical interns.

The government has threatened to withhold the salaries and union remittances of striking doctors and has instructed its counsel to file a status report in court, seeking a review of the initial orders to ensure the continuation of healthcare services for Kenyans. The Council of Governors Chairperson, Anne Waiguru, has appealed to the striking doctors to resume their duties immediately, stating that the issues raised by the doctors had already been agreed upon.

Dr. Atellah emphasized the doctors' commitment to not abandoning the interns, who are considered vulnerable. "We will not support the exploitation of workers, including intern doctors," he stated. The KMPDU has

Key Takeaways

• Doctors' strike in Kenya enters 42nd day, impacting healthcare services
• Govt offers $520 stipend, KMPDU demands $1500 monthly salary for interns
• Strike disproportionately affects women and girls, concerns over universal health coverage
• Govt threatens to withhold salaries, union remittances of striking doctors
• KMPDU committed to not abandoning interns, rejects govt's return-to-work formula