Doctors to decide on strike as negotiations with govt reach conclusion

Kenyan doctors are expected to announce their decision regarding the 41-day-long strike following the conclusion of negotiations with the government facilitated by the Whole of Nation Approach Committee, convened by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

During a meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) failed to attend the signing of a return-to-work agreement on Monday. Koskei stated that the government had agreed to reschedule the signing for Tuesday, allowing doctors additional time to finalise discussions amongst themselves following a late-night meeting on Monday.

He further expressed optimism during a briefing, stating that most of the concerns had been addressed in a meeting held on Sunday. He conveyed hope that a resolution would be reached, leading to the doctors’ return to work.

“We sat yesterday up to midnight and agreed on all the issues and we believe KMPDU are just being magnanimous to ensure they have wide consultation with their members. It is just an issue of time,” added Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.

Last Wednesday, the Employment and Labour Relations Court extended its orders, suspending the ongoing doctors’ strike, aiming to facilitate additional negotiations.

Since March 14, doctors have refrained from reporting to their duty stations, protesting the government’s failure to assign medical interns and adhere to the terms outlined in the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) regarding doctors’ employment conditions.

The government proposed a compensation offer of KES 70,000 for medical interns, significantly lower than the KES 206,000 specified in the CBA, a proposal rejected by the doctors.