The protests that were supposed to take place on Tuesday, May 7, have been postponed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
In a letter to union members, KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah announced that the nonviolent demonstrations had been rescheduled for an undisclosed date to allow for continuing talks with the government regarding the complaints of doctors.
“This decision comes in light of ongoing negotiation that has been scheduled for today, 7th May 2024, at 10:00 am. We believe that engaging in the negotiation is crucial in addressing the concerns and grievances that led to the planned demonstration,” said Dr Atellah.
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“The union remains committed to keeping you updated on any developments regarding the negotiations and the rescheduled date for the demonstration.”
Doctors have been protesting the government's refusal to post medical interns and to follow a 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on doctors' labor terms by leaving their duty stations on March 14.
They have been in long-term talks with the Ministry of Health, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, and the Head of Public Service through a committee called the "Whole of the Nation Approach."
But nothing has come of the discussions. One of the government offers that the doctors have rejected is Ksh.70,000, which the government has made for the medical interns in lieu of the Ksh.206,000 stipulated in the CBA.
The doctors' walkout against the government on Saturday was the result of their talks.
