The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has affirmed its decision to initiate a nationwide strike from Wednesday, March 13, citing unresolved grievances and the absence of constructive dialogue with the government.
In an interview with Citizen TV on Monday, March 11, Dr Abidan Mwachi, National Chairman of KMPDU, asserted that no consensus has been reached between the union and the government.
Dr. Mwachi stated, "I don’t know what they want us to do so that they believe the strike is on. The strike is on, starting Wednesday at 12:01 am."
The core demands of the medics revolve around the hiring of intern medics and the allocation of resources towards the health sector. KMPDU has set forth a demand for the government to allocate at least 15 per cent of the annual budget to health, a target yet to be met.
"They have had time. We gave a seven-day strike notice, but the strike notice is seven years old because it started in 2017," Dr Mwachi emphasised, reflecting the longstanding nature of the issues at hand.
Responding to the looming crisis, Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru urged the medical fraternity to engage in dialogue. At State House Nairobi, Waiguru stressed, "All we are seeking for is time to look at how to resolve the issues the unions are raising."
Contrary to Waiguru's statement, Dr. Mwachi asserted that no formal request for dialogue extension has been received from the Council of Governors. Moreover, he expressed disappointment over failed negotiations with the government, labelling discussions as unproductive.
"For it to be a serious meeting it should have encompassed all decision-making organs from the strike notice we gave. However, if you are well-meaning, even the content was another pulpit speech and a short career which you don’t need of guidance and counselling on how things are tough in the country," Dr Mwachi remarked, highlighting the frustration among the medical practitioners.
Healthcare is among the functions devolved to counties under the 2010 Constitution.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha rebuffed the demands of the medics last Thursday, asserting that the ministry lacks the requisite funds to address the issues raised. Nakhumicha termed the demands as unsustainable, given the current financial constraints faced by the ministry.
“For now that is unsustainable, as a ministry we do not have resources to post them and the law does not allow us as a ministry to post when we do not have the budget for it,” Nakhumicha said.
As the standoff persists, other health unions including the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), and the Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians have advised their members to prepare for a potential strike after a 14-day grace period.
The unions had previously walked out of negotiations following the government's stance citing financial constraints. The looming crisis underscores the urgent need for dialogue and resolution to avert further disruptions in the healthcare sector.
