After the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) called off the strike, doctors at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) secured permanent jobs and improved remuneration packages following successful negotiations with hospital management.
The doctors had downed their tools on February 5 in protest of the failure to fulfil critical employment terms, including delayed promotions and the lack of medical insurance coverage for some practitioners.
The strike, which lasted for seven days, was resolved after a return-to-work agreement was signed by KMPDU Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah.
According to Atellah, one of the breakthroughs in the deal is the transition of all eligible contract doctors, those with over one year of service—to permanent and pensionable terms by April 30, 2025.
“We are pleased that our strike, which lasted for nearly a week, was not in vain. The issues we raised have been successfully resolved, and we can now resume our duties with the assurance that our demands will be implemented,” stated Dr. Atellah.
“Forthwith from the signing of this agreement, MTRH will not be employing doctors on contract terms. All doctors employed on contracts to be included in the MTRH staff medical cover.”
MTRH Doctors Secure Permanent Jobs, Enhanced Packages After Strike
Additionally, the agreement includes the settlement of basic salary arrears, with a joint committee overseeing the implementation of pending payments based on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) job evaluation.
Doctors will also benefit from a comprehensive medical insurance plan, which will cover all practitioners under the new terms.
Promotions, another contentious issue, have been addressed with doctors who applied for competitive positions set to receive immediate upgrades, effective from the February payroll.
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Moving forward, the hospital has committed to conducting annual promotions.
Following these interviews, letters of promotion will be issued immediately to all successful candidates, with the promotions reflected in the February pay slip.
“All doctors due for promotions to be presented to the next board meeting to be held before 30th April 2025. Subsequently, internal advertisements to be made annually and to be made open to all eligible doctors,” the agreement reads.
“All pending third party deductions be remitted by 30th April 2025. Any interests and penalties accruing from delayed remittance to be paid for by the employer. All doctors are now covered by a comprehensive medical cover. Any challenges faced to be handled administratively.”
Study leave will also be implemented in line with the MTRH-KMPDU Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) guidelines.
Crucially, no doctor will face disciplinary action for participating in the industrial strike, safeguarding them from victimization.
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Medics Grievances
The strike began after failure by the management to address their grievances that were not implemented in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The doctors cited demeaning, unconstitutional, and discriminatory contractual terms, with the medics noting that they lack the benefits of permanent staff, including medical cover.
They also raised concerns about unpaid statutory deductions for four months, resulting in doctors being placed on the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), and accused management of failing to promote doctors.
Another major grievance that fueled the strike was the non-remittance of statutory and third-party deductions amounting to over Ksh1 billion, along with Ksh600 million owed to banks for loan deductions.
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