Strike is On, Doctors Declare as They Snub Waiguru’s Request

The National Chairman of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) Abidan Mwachi has insisted that the doctors strike is still on.

Speaking to the media, Mwachi said that the strike would begin on Wednesday, March 13, exactly at midnight, giving doctors one second after that time to pick their bags and leave hospitals.

The KMPDU chair said that the union had given the government enough time to address their concerns, but it had dismissed them for seven years.

“KMPDU never misses it words, it says what it means, and it means what it says. The strike is on as from Wednesday 12:01 am plus just one second for people to carry their handbags and leave the hospital,” he said.

Also Read: Doctors Union Calls Off Planned Nationwide Strike

Mwachi on Govt Response to Doctors Demands

At the same time, the KMPDU chairman indicated that instead of giving a solution, the government had responded with what he termed as a guidance and counselling course.

He said that they were asked to be patient and were being soothed when doctors across the country were struggling.

“What was tabled was what I would summarize to be a short course on guidance and counselling. Being told to be patient that’s guidance and counselling.

“We are leaders, we did not go there to be soothed, we went there with demands that came from our members and they have had 7 years sitting on their able hands. Now you have to put fire under their feet,” added Mwachi.

Additionally, he said that there was no need of giving the government more time to resolve their issues adding that in other cases, it had immediately released funding for different projects.

“The government never asked for time when they allocated Ksh1.3 billion to renovate Rehema House. Do you know how much it will take to resolve this crisis? Around Ksh1.5 billion to post the interns and around Ksh1.3 billion to sort the basic pay status,” he lamented.

Also Read: Nakhumicha Makes Appeal to Doctors After Strike Notice 

Waiguru Request to KMPDU Over Strike

Earlier, the chairperson of the Council of Governors Anne Waiguru asked the union to have a discussion with the governors over the matter. 

Further, Waiguru asked that they come to an amicable solution without having to go through with the strike. 

“All we are seeking for is time to look at how to resolve the issues that the unions are raising. We seek your indugence as council of governors especially because we are going to be running these hospitals .

“Help us so that we talk with our colleagues and reduce the push and pull. We should avoid going to court over the strike at this time,” she said. 

Earlier, on March 11, KMPDU suspended its nationwide strike noting that key stakeholders from the government were willing to listen to their grievances and resolve the stalemate.

However, the Secretary General Davji Atellah indicated that the strike would resume if they will come to a solution. 

“If the meeting does not issue tangible solutions, we will strike,” said Davji Atellah.

The doctors demanded the immediate posting of medical interns and the fair treatment of medical practitioners.

On Monday, March 11, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha indicated that she met medical interns’ representatives, exuding confidence that they would find a solution.

“Happy to have engaged interns Liaison Committee leadership this evening at Afya House. As agreed, let’s meet again on Thursday same time,” said the CS.