Amidst an escalating healthcare crisis, doctors in Kenya continue to stand firm in their defiance against government appeals, marking the ninth consecutive day of a nationwide strike characterized by mounting tensions and unresolved disputes.

Protests reached a crescendo outside Afya House on Friday, March 22, as healthcare workers rallied for the resignation of Health CS Susan Nakhumincha, underscoring profound dissatisfaction within the medical community.

Chanting "Nakhumicha must go!" and clad in their iconic white coats and blue surgical caps, doctors presented a striking image of unity amidst a standoff with the government.

The ongoing strike, now in its second week, underscores broader grievances among medical professionals, encompassing demands for improved working conditions, the implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements, and adequate medical coverage.

Despite negotiations convened on Thursday night, which involved key stakeholders including government representatives and the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU), no tangible progress was reported.

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Attelah reiterated the doctors' resolve, stating, "We will be on strike for as long as it takes."

The defiance persists despite warnings from CS Nakhumincha, who threatened to dismiss participating doctors and emphasized the essential nature of medical services.

In response to the strike, the Ministry of Health disclosed plans to recruit qualified unemployed medics to ensure the continuity of essential services.

However, questions surrounding the classification and remuneration of medical interns have further strained relations between doctors and the government.

A televised statement by CS Nakhumincha disputing interns' status as government employees drew criticism from medical associations, prompting clarification from the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.

Koskei emphasized the vital role of medical interns in managing hospitals and dispensaries, countering the proposed salary cuts by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which doctors deem exploitative and detrimental to interns' welfare.

As tensions escalate, patients across public hospitals are left in limbo, underscoring the urgency of resolving the impasse to avert further disruptions to healthcare services.