Members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have rejected a 40 percent salary increment offer made by President Uhuru Kenyatta adding that they would continue with their mass action as they negotiate for a better deal.
Speaking to journalists on Friday at the Nairobi Railways Club, the Union's National Advisory Council noted that the Government's proposal was nothing close to the CBA signed in 2013.
According to the members, they were appreciative of the Government's current step to negotiate with them but added there were several grey areas they needed to be clarified.
The union's Secretary-General Ouma Olunga highlighted that the officials were in support of the decision by its members.
Earlier, KPDU divulged that there was more to the CBA than just the monetary offer noting that "it's obvious from their statements that the government is trying to hoodwink Kenyans that it's all about our salaries #CBAismorethancash".
"The CBA once signed will make sure more doctors are trained to improve on service delivery. It addresses funding research that will open doors for clinical trials that will improve on treatment practices. Kenyans need to understand that we are also agitating for the voiceless through that CBA #CBAismorethancash," KMPDU noted.
The officials are set to meet with the Treasury on Friday afternoon to continue with thenegotiations.
On Wednesday, President Kenyatta held a meeting with KMPDU officials at State House, Mombasa, in a bid to end the strike that has entered its 33rd day.
During the negotiations, the government tabled several offers in a bid to convince the striking practitioners to resume their duties.
1. In recognition of their professional training, the government offered to raise the entry level grade for doctors to Job Group “M” from Job Group “L” which is higher than the normal entry level for other public servants.
2. Additionally, the minimum gross salary for entry level doctors was increased from the current KSh 140,244 to KSh 196,989.
The increase, according to the offer, would be split into Enhanced Emergency Call allowance and new Doctors’ Risk allowance at a flat rate of Sh10,000 per month.
For Enhanced Emergency Call allowance, the doctors would receive an:
a) Increase to KSh 66,000 from the current KSh 30,000 for Job Group L - an increase of more than 100 percent.
b) Increase to KSh 72,000 from KSh 30,000 for Job Groups M-P - also an increase of much more than 100 percent.
c) Increase to KSh 80,000 from KSh 30,000 for Job Groups Q and above.
3. At the same time, the government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring equity in the nationwide distribution of doctors; continuous training, and a standard framework of employment across counties – including mechanisms for transfer of doctors and promotions.
