Medics, on Friday, April 14, announced that they would down their tools in 12 counties starting Wednesday, April 19.
Eight unions, including the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers(KUCO), Kenya National Union of PharmaceuticalTechnologists, Kenya Health Professional Society, Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dieticians declared that their workers will not report to their work stations.
The workers emphasised that they were not necessarily planning to go a strike but rather to demonstrate that they could not attend work due to a lack of resources.
"We regret to inform you that our members will not be able to attend work as scheduled as of Wednesday, April 19, 2023," read part of the statement.
The unions stated that the planned go-slow was necessitated by President William Ruto's government's failure to pay their March 2023 salary.
The medical workers also noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration did not remit statutory deductions as required by the law and in contravention of the contracts signed.
"Occasional delays in salary payment have left us in a difficult financial situation. As a result, we are unable to meet our daily needs, including transportation, food, and accommodation expenses," read part of the statement.
"We recognise that the provision of quality healthcare is critical to our nation, and we remain committed to fulfilling our obligations to patients and the community at large," the eight unions underscored.
The unions noted that their financial conditions had become unbearable since they, too, had needs and families to take care of.
"We cannot continue to work under such conditions, as it has become increasingly difficult for our members to meet their basic needs.
"We urge you to urgently address this matter and ensure that our members receive their salaries on time to avoid further disruption of services," the unions stated.
The unions, therefore, asked President Ruto to urgently address their demands to avert the go-slow that may spiral into a full-blown strike.
"We remain open to further discussions with you and hope for a speedy resolution to this matter," the unions urged.
The statement was signed by Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah of Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Elias Mutuma Irura, Secretary-General, Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT), George Gibore, Secretary-General, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers and Seth Panyako, General-Secretary, Kenya National Union of Nurses.
Others were Mohamed Duba, Kenya Health Professional Society Chairperson and Michael Uuma Odero, Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dieticians.
On Thursday, April 13, Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odinga stated that he would announce the date for the resumption of protests immediately after the Ramadhan festivity.
After meeting several unions, Raila stated that negotiations with the Kenya Kwanza administration would not go on until the cost of basic commodities was brought down.
"Immediately after the Ramadhan, I will announce when the countrywide mass actions will return," Raila declared.
