The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a stern warning to 11 counties over potential strikes due to unexplained delays in salary payments for July and August.
The affected counties include Lamu, Kakamega, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit, Kirinyaga, Samburu, Nakuru, and Mandera.
In addition, KMPDU has given a 14-day strike notice to doctors in Nandi and Mombasa counties, where March and April's salaries remain unpaid despite a court order for their release. These salaries were withheld during a previous strike.
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KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah expressed deep dissatisfaction with the outcome of the return-to-work agreement signed with both county and national governments.
According to Dr. Atellah, they were expected to receive basic salary arrears for the past seven years starting in July, but the national government has yet to fulfill this obligation.
"The payments were supposed to be made in July and August, but nothing has been received. Counties have communicated that they haven't received the funds from the national government," Dr. Atellah stated during a press briefing on Saturday.
He further warned, "Our patience should not be mistaken for complacency. We are prepared to take legal action against the government for contempt and are ready to resume our demands for these overdue payments."