Doctors in Nairobi will hold a peaceful demonstration today to protest the government’s delays in implementing the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) signed after their May 2024 strike.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has announced that the protest is aimed at pressuring the government to honor long-standing agreements, including a CBA signed on June 30, 2017, and the RTWF agreed upon on May 8, 2024.
The union has expressed concerns that the government’s failure to implement these agreements has significantly affected doctors’ welfare and disrupted health services in both public and private sectors.
KMPDU Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah, outlined the protest route in a formal letter to Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja. The demonstration will begin at 8 a.m. at Kenyatta National Hospital, proceeding to Nairobi Hospital, the Ministry of Health offices at Afya House, and finally, Parliament Buildings. The letter was also sent to key security offices, including the Regional Police Commander for Nairobi Region and the OCS offices at Central and Kilimani Police Stations.
In addition to today’s protest, KMPDU has reiterated its plans to begin a nationwide doctors’ strike on December 22, 2024. Dr. Atellah made this announcement during a meeting with doctors at Kakamega County Referral Hospital, citing the government’s failure to honor its commitments.
“The government has repeatedly ignored court orders, violated CBAs, and failed to implement the RTWF agreements,” said Dr. Atellah. “The medical fraternity has had enough. We will strike today, not tomorrow. From midnight on December 22, 2024, we will take to the streets and stay at home. The time for empty negotiations has passed.”
The KMPDU’s frustration stems from the government’s inability to address critical issues, leaving medical professionals with no choice but to take industrial action.
“We demand the government honor its promises and implement the agreements,” Dr. Atellah added, stressing that the strike is a final step after continued neglect by the government. “The medical fraternity has had enough. This is no longer the time for empty boardroom negotiations or counterstrategies. We are taking action now.”
