Editor's Review

  • President Uhuru Kenyatta is said to have intervened in the ongoing doctors strike amid complaints by Kenyans.
  • KMDPU called off doctors’ strike after reaching deal with the government.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is said to have intervened in the ongoing doctors strike amid complaints by Kenyans.

On Thursday, December 24 2020, KMDPU called off doctors’ strike after reaching deal with the government.

Secretary-General Chibanzi Mwachonda revealed that Uhuru had intervened as he asked medics to go back to work.

Doctors downed their tools, protesting a lack of protective gear and inadequate benefits amid the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union accused the government of neglecting them and putting their lives at risk.

Doctors Take

KMPDU accused the government has disregarded the welfare, safety and health of health care workers, adding that there is no provision of medical insurance, work-related injury benefits and compensation, and personal protective equipment, despite the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Doctors across the country today can no longer wait; we will not engage in hazardous and dangerous work environment. We will not engage without assurance of our treatment, assurance of compensation to the young families that most doctors have and assurance of employment," Mwachonda said.

"There is no point in training doctors and not employing them. So today begins a nation strike notice by KMPDU we remain available and after this, we hope that we will engage come tomorrow to find resolutions to this matter," he added.