Doctors to Discharge Patients Ahead of Nationwide Strike
The KMPDU’s Uasin Gishu Chapter, led by North Rift Branch Secretary General Dr. Kamonzi Mulei, has pledged unwavering support for the national strike.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atella speaking to the press in Eldoret City on Saturday, December 14, 2024. KMPDU directed all doctors in the country to begin discharging patients from hospitals starting December 19, ahead of a planned nationwide strike set to commence on December 22.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has directed all doctors in the country to begin discharging patients from hospitals starting December 19, ahead of a planned nationwide strike set to commence on December 22.
The announcement was made by the union’s Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atella, during a media briefing in Eldoret, signaling a looming crisis in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Atella cautioned that the strike would disrupt operations across all healthcare facilities, including major referral hospitals such as Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
He accused the government of failing to honor the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with doctors, describing its approach as characterized by dishonesty, arrogance, and a lack of commitment to implementing agreed-upon terms.
“The government has consistently failed to fulfill its promises to doctors,” Dr. Atella stated. “Even worse, they have resorted to threatening the lives of union leaders. Despite this intimidation, we are resolute in fighting for the rights of doctors, interns, and, ultimately, the patients who depend on a functioning healthcare system.”
Core Grievances
The union outlined several grievances fueling the strike, including poor working conditions, delayed promotions, and inadequate remuneration for doctors and medical interns.
Dr. Atella emphasized that the strike would proceed unless the government urgently addressed these issues.
The announcement has sparked widespread concern, particularly among medical students who fear further disruptions to their studies.
Ian Limo, a student at Moi University School of Medicine, expressed frustration over the recurring strikes, which he said have prolonged their academic timelines.
“We just came out of a four-month strike, and now another one is on the horizon,” lamented Limo. “Our academic years are dragging on—what should take one year is now taking three because of these constant interruptions. If the government doesn’t act to avert this strike, we will continue to suffer as students.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Immaculate Mwangi, a sixth-year medical student at the same institution.
She highlighted the emotional toll of repeated disruptions, noting that they could have long-term consequences on students’ careers and the quality of medical training.
Regional Solidarity
The KMPDU’s Uasin Gishu Chapter, led by North Rift Branch Secretary General Dr. Kamonzi Mulei, has pledged unwavering support for the national strike.
Speaking during a regional meeting, Dr. Mulei urged all doctors in the area to prepare for what he termed “the mother of all strikes.”
“We call on all doctors to stand in solidarity as we fight for what is rightfully ours,” said Dr. Mulei. “We also urge Kenyans to withdraw their patients from hospitals because all medical facilities—including private and faith-based institutions—will join this strike. The lives lost during this period will be on the government’s hands due to its failure to address these issues.”
A Call for Action
The KMPDU emphasized that the strike is a measure of last resort, pursued after numerous appeals to the government went unheeded.
The union underscored that its demands extend beyond improving working conditions for doctors to ensuring better healthcare for all Kenyans.
Despite the hard stance, KMPDU leaders have expressed willingness to engage in dialogue should the government demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing their grievances.
“We have given the government ample time to act,” concluded Dr. Atella. “We are ready to resolve these issues amicably, but if they continue to ignore us, we have no choice but to proceed with the strike. It is the only way to secure the future of healthcare in this country.”
Growing Uncertainty
With just days remaining before the strike, uncertainty looms over the healthcare sector. Patients, medical students, and healthcare providers are anxiously waiting to see if the government will intervene to resolve the standoff and avert what could become a major crisis in Kenya’s healthcare system.
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