The doctor’s strike that was scheduled to start on December 22, 2024, has been cancelled after the government signed a deal with doctors.
On Thursday, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki oversaw the signing of an agreement between doctors and the Ministry of Health that resulted in the strike being called off.
The deal, which was also signed by the Council of Governors, will see intern doctors receive Ksh206,000 per month as salaries, according to the memorandum of understanding previously signed between the government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
KMPDU Secretary General Doctor Davji Atellah revealed that during the meeting, it was also agreed that the basic salary arrears would be paid.
DP Kithure Kindiki (Middle) overseeing the signing of Doctors CBA by KMPDU Sec Gen Devji Atellah(left), Nairobi Kenya, December 19, 2024.
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Kithure Kindiki
“In today’s agreement, the intern doctors can actually check their pay slips to see the confirmations that they will be getting their full salaries,” Devji confirmed.
On December 3, while giving notice for the strike, Devji expressed frustration that the doctors faced, blaming the government for neglecting the initial 2017 collective bargaining agreement.
According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the lowest-paid doctor (intern) earns about Ksh212,000 inclusive of all allowances, every month. The highest-paid consultants walk home with about Ksh814,000.
Speaking after the signing, Kindiki assured the doctors that the government values the expertise, sacrifice, and patriotic input of all our health workers across the Country.
Kindiki praised the doctors for taking a selfless move and cancelling the strike, terming it as an important move, especially for Kenyans who rely on them for medical services.
“We welcome the selfless decision of the doctors to call off the intended industrial action and their willingness to continue engagement with the National and County Governments in the spirit of collaboration, consensus building, and good faith,” the DP said.
According to Kindiki, the health of every Kenyan is a priority for the Kenya Kwanza Administration, and they will do everything possible to ensure it is not paralysed.
The Chair of the Council of Governors, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, assured the doctors that the remaining parts of any agreement they had entered into, including the adjustments scheduled for 2025/2026, would be adhered to.
Medical professionals demand higher pay and better working conditions in a past demonstration
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KMPDU