The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has stood firm on its decision to commence a nationwide strike starting Wednesday, March 13, amidst unresolved grievances and a lack of meaningful dialogue with the government.
In an interview with Citizen TV on Monday, March 11, Dr. Abidan Mwachi, the National Chairman of KMPDU, reiterated the union's stance, stating that no agreement had been reached with the government.
"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," Dr. Mwachi affirmed.
At the heart of the matter are demands concerning the employment of intern medics and increased allocation of resources to the health sector. KMPDU has insisted that the government allocate a minimum of 15 percent 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 emphasized, underscoring the longstanding nature of the grievances.
While Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru urged dialogue, Dr. Mwachi expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in negotiations and the absence of formal requests for dialogue extension from the Council of Governors.
"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, reflecting the frustration among medical practitioners.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha rebuffed the demands, citing financial constraints within the ministry.
"As a ministry, we do not have resources to address the demands, and the law does not allow us to act without the budget for it," Nakhumicha stated.
With other health unions including the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) also advising their members to prepare for a potential strike, the situation underscores the pressing need for dialogue and resolution to prevent further disruptions in the healthcare sector.