The Council of Governors (CoG), led by Chair Governor Anne Waiguru, has issued a cautionary message to healthcare professionals participating in the strike organised by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
Doctors striking under County Governments’ employment are advised to resume work immediately, or face disciplinary measures from their respective employers.
Waiguru issued the warning on March 27, 2024, following an Extra-Ordinary Meeting by the CoG held to address the demands raised by the doctors.
The governors also urged the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to engage in negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the individual county governments.
Waiguru emphasised that as health is a devolved function, the counties serve as the employers of the healthcare workers and are therefore in the best position to address their concerns.
“We encourage the union to negotiate the new CBAs with individual county governments who are their employers. This cannot be negotiated from the national level because health is a devolved function. We urge the county governments and the doctors to exercise sobriety as parties resolve these matters amicably,” said Waiguru.
The governors acknowledged that although health is a devolved function, it is not sufficiently funded. However, they emphasised that all counties were making efforts to allocate funds to health in accordance with their available resources.
Kirinyaga governor noted that each county allocates a minimum of 30% of its total allocation to health. Regarding the concerns raised by KMPDU about the delayed posting of interns, the governors clarified that this issue falls under the jurisdiction of the National Government.
They also indicated that all internship training centres within the County facilities are available to receive and welcome the interns once they are posted.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) on its part was directed to implement the resolution made to extend the contracts of UHC staff for a period of three years under the same terms and conditions.
Among other issues discussed, the CoG condemned the violence meted against doctors during their demonstrations held on 29th February 2024.
“We call upon Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to follow up on this matter so that justice is served to the victims and to stop such occurrences in future,” the statement added.
Doctors have been engaged in a strike for over 14 days following the issuance of a strike notice by KMPDU on March 6th, 2024, citing significant concerns regarding the welfare of their union members. Despite this, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah maintains that the strike remains ongoing.
