• The KMPDU has threatened to go on strike if the government does not honor the KSh200,000 monthly salary promised to trainee doctors in their CBA.
• The union, led by Davji Atella, is frustrated with the government’s salary proposal of KSh47,000 to KSh70,000, which it considers a major violation of the collective agreement.
• Negotiations with the Ministry of Health ended in an impasse, with the two parties unable to agree on salary conditions.
• The KMPDU is open to further negotiations but warns that failure to reach a fair deal by November 30 could lead to industrial action.

TUKO.co.ke reporter Didacus Malowa brings over three years of reporting experience policy and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi – THE Kenya The Doctors, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has warned of an imminent strike if the government does not honor the agreed salary rates for intern doctors under their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

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How much do Kenyan trainee doctors earn?

The union, led by general secretary Davji Atella, expressed frustration over the government’s failure to meet the promised monthly salary of KSh200,000 for trainees.

KMPDU cited the government’s proposed salary range of between KSh47,000 and KSh70,000 as a significant violation of its collective agreement.

In a statement released on Saturday, November 9, Atella detailed the union’s position following a three-hour meeting with the head of the civil service, Felix Koskei, on November 7.

He argued that the government’s current proposal, supported by a circular from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), does not reflect the terms of the CBA signed by both parties.

According to Atella, intern doctors have been assured of financial support, but the government has yet to correct the gap in pay rates.

“We had several meetings with the Ministry of Health which ended in an impasse on 10/31/2024. The ministry remained stuck on the SRC circular of KSh47,000 to KSh70,000 gross, and we maintained the CBA rate. On 7/11/2024 we had a 3 hour meeting with the Head of Civil Service of House Harambee. Engagement has been more gradual and more meetings were planned for next week, we will communicate when we have it. a concrete result,” Atella said in a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.

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Meanwhile, Mary Muthoni, principal secretary of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, reassured the trainees that budgetary provisions had been made for them this year.

What happens if the government does not respect the ABC

He then explained that the union remained open to dialogue, but stressed that ongoing talks could, if necessary, extend beyond the boardrooms.

“Negotiations are underway in the boards of directors, but it is not unknown to the courts and the government that negotiations are not limited to the boards of directors,” he said.

With a court-issued mandate to conclude negotiations within 45 days, or November 30, the union is prepared to act if discussions continue to stall.

Atella emphasized that withholding skills through a strike is a measure of last resort but an effective tool in collective bargaining.

“We must all be prepared to act. When all other avenues fail, then the power of workers lies in retaining their skills. The cornerstone of negotiations and dialogues is protests, sit-ins and strikes as envisaged by the industrial world,” he declared.

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Why the KMPDU opposed the deployment of SHIF

As previously stated, the union opposed the deployment of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

In a statement released on Tuesday (October 1), Atellah said the new fund would disadvantage many Kenyans.

Atellah argued that the creation of the new fund would deprive many Kenyans of access to healthcare, including those who enjoyed comprehensive medical coverage under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Edited by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke