By Wilfridah Murenga
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) has signed a return-to-work formula marking the end of the 56-day nationwide doctors strike.
On Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, the Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha signed the deal in the presence of the head of Public Service Felix Koskei and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.
“After a long and painstaking negotiations that ran into the wee hour of the night for many days, I am pleased that we are finally here we have signed a return-to-work formula and the union has called off the strike,” said Nakhumicha.
After signing the agreement KMPDU Secretary General Davji Attella announced that the strike was off and doctors should return to work immediately.
“I want to thank the able leadership of KMPDU who believe that justice must be done and must be done now. The strike that began on the 13th of March, 2024 has been called off,” he said.
He also stated that they are yet to resolve the matter concerning the intern doctors’ pay which was a key issue on the strike.
Atellah ascribed the lack of consensus on the matter to an ongoing legal proceeding in Eldoret, awaiting a verdict. He also stated that medical interns will not be posted for 60 days until a formal agreement is made.
“As this matter in court is ongoing, we will also be having conversations but one thing we must assure everybody is that the rights of workers as enshrined in a collective bargaining agreement that is signed we will always endeavor to protect that,” he said.
This development comes after the doctors on Tuesday stated that they were prepared to follow court directives by collaborating with the state to establish a plan for resuming work within 48 hours.