Doctors’ Strike at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Officially Ends Following Landmark Agreement

The seven-day doctors’ strike at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret has officially ended after the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and hospital management reached a comprehensive agreement. The resolution, confirmed by union and hospital officials, marks a significant breakthrough after the industrial action, which began on February 4.

The resolution was achieved following intensive negotiations between senior KMPDU leaders—Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, Branch Chairman Dr. Darwin Ambuka, and Branch Secretary Dr. Kamunzi Mule—and the hospital administration. The discussions centered on addressing long-standing issues that had prompted the strike, including delayed promotions, the provision of adequate medical cover, and the employment of long-serving contract doctors.

Dr. Davji Atellah announced the end of the strike and urged medical personnel to resume work within 24 hours. “We are pleased that our six-day strike yielded positive results, and the issues we raised have been addressed,” he stated. Dr. Atellah also highlighted the Treasury’s commitment to releasing the necessary funding to ensure that all agreed measures are fully implemented. “This funding will be instrumental in resolving delayed promotions, providing proper medical cover, and ensuring the fair treatment of contract doctors,” he added.

In addition to resolving employment-related issues, the union had raised concerns over substantial financial discrepancies. Among the grievances were unpaid statutory and third-party deductions, which exceeded Sh1 billion, as well as unresolved bank loan remittances amounting to Sh600 million. Dr. Atellah confirmed that these financial issues would be addressed as part of the agreement, signaling a move toward greater transparency and accountability within the hospital’s financial management.

Dr. Phillip Kirwa, CEO of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, expressed relief at the conclusion of the strike and reassured the public about the continuity of services. “We are back to full operations and assure our clients of quality services as usual,” Dr. Kirwa said. He stressed that the hospital remains committed to collaborating with unions and staff to avoid similar industrial actions in the future. “The swift resolution of these issues is a testament to our dedication to addressing concerns and upholding the standards of healthcare delivery. Our patients remain our top priority,” Dr. Kirwa added.

The successful negotiation at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital comes at a crucial time for Kenya’s healthcare sector. The strike, which was triggered by persistent frustrations over unfulfilled promises regarding promotions, medical cover, and contract renewals, had significantly disrupted hospital services. Observers believe that the outcome of these negotiations could serve as a model for resolving disputes in other public health institutions across the country.

As doctors return to work and the hospital resumes its full range of services, stakeholders are optimistic that this agreement will pave the way for constructive dialogue and lasting improvements in the working conditions of medical professionals. Both KMPDU officials and hospital management expressed hope that the collaborative approach demonstrated during the negotiations would help prevent future strikes and foster a more resilient healthcare system.

The resolution of the strike not only restores stability at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital but also underscores the critical importance of dialogue between healthcare workers and administrators. With the promised funding and reforms on the horizon, there is renewed optimism that similar challenges will be addressed proactively across Kenya’s public health institutions.