Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced the government’s intention to fully implement revised salaries for health workers by August this year.
The decision was reached following a meeting between the health minister and officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) held on Thursday, April 10.
According to KMPDU Secretary General Davji Attelah, the revised basic salaries for health workers would be implemented in August after consultations between the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors.
During the meeting, the Ministry of Health also announced the placement of intern doctors from July 1 this year, with balloting expected to take place this month.
According to the KMPDU leader, the postings would be done as per the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA), but after consultations between the Ministry of Health and the National Treasury.
Also, at the top of the agenda was the health workers’ medical insurance. Regarding the insurance, the government pledged to restore the scheme within the next two weeks.
In the meeting held at Afya House in Nairobi, the Ministry of Health also agreed to settle salary arrears of doctors by the end of May 2025, with the CS noting that the verification of the said arrears is set to kick off next week.
According to Attelah, the payment of the arrears will include the 1,000 doctors who did not receive their salaries in the initial disbursement of December last year and January this year.
He also noted that the 114 doctors who were employed during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) would be transitioned to permanent and pensionable status within the next three weeks.
"As we move forward, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity and shared purpose. We are stronger together, comrades. In solidarity, we stand committed to ensuring the implementation and protection of the CBA and all our agreements," Attelah said.
KMPDU's engagement with Duale comes barely two days after the latter pledged to transform the country's healthcare system to ensure the fulfillment of the government’s promise of affordable healthcare to Kenyans.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, April 8, the health CS also pledged to deal with corruption within the Ministry of Health at all costs despite criticism.
