Doctors Announce Protests On Monday Ahead Of Mega Demonstrations
The Union informed of their demonstrations set to begin at 8 am on Monday, December 16 and requested police protection on the day.
Marvin Chege 
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) on Saturday, December 14 announced a peaceful protest by doctors next week, writing to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja notifying him of the same.
In a letter copied to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, Kilimani and Central Police Stations OCPDs and OCSs, the Union informed of their demonstrations set to begin at 8 am on Monday, December 16 and requested police protection on the day.
“This is to notify you that we shall be having a peaceful demonstration on Monday 16th December 2024 starting from 8:00 AM,” stated KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah in the letter.
“We therefore request you to offer us security on this important mission. We shall abide by all the regulations and guidelines given by your office.”
Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah addressing journalists in Nairobi on January 31, 2023. /NAIROBI NEWS
According to the KMPDU boss, the protests would kick off from the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), then proceed to the Nairobi Hospital before culminating in a march to the Ministry of Health and Parliament buildings.
The medics explained that the march is aimed at compelling the State to implement the 2017 and 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) made between the union, and the national and county governments.
“The picketing is intended to compel the Government to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreements dated 30th June 2017 and 6th July 2021 and the Return-To-Work-Formula (RTWF) documents dated 8th May 2024 made between the union, ministry of health, national government, national referral facilities; and the other one made between the union and the county governments signed by the Chair of Council of Governors, Chair Human Resource Labour and Social Welfare and the Chair Health Committee, Council of Governors,” stated Dr. Atellah.
Meanwhile, KMPDU has been putting pressure on the government to meet its commitments to the health workers threatening to begin a mega nationwide doctors’ strike on December 22, 2024. The doctors are protesting a range of issues, including poor working conditions, delayed salary payments and pay cuts, particularly for medical interns.
Speaking during a meeting with doctors in Kakamega County, Atellah revealed that despite signing a return-to-work formula, their needs are still being ignored, forcing them to go back to the streets after calling off the strike in May 2024.
"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 CBAs are violated and dismantled," Dr Atella revealed.
On their part, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) issued a 21-day strike notice, citing widespread discrimination and failure to meet earlier agreements.
The Union's Secretary General, Seth Panyako, announced the ultimatum demanding the implementation of the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement signed in August 2024. The nurses are also demanding the employment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff on permanent and pensionable terms.
"Our being silent and not disturbing this government is being taken for granted, and we are being looked at as cowards. We cannot allow UHC staff to continue being paid peanuts. They must be put on permanent and pensionable," Panyako revealed.
Should the leadership of the nurses and doctors proceed with plans to go on strike, this would force Kenyans to contend with the daunting challenge in terms of accessing medical services from December 22, going into the Christmas period without medical services.
