Medics: No amount of threats will force us to end the strike

Doctors led by KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah stage a demonstration outside Parliament on April 30, 2024, over their CBA grievances. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Doctors have vowed to continue with the strike until the government honors the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Speaking outside parliament on Tuesday, April 30, Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary-General Davji Atella accused the government of making promises it is unwilling to keep.

"As a union, we insist on continuing the strike until the government is prepared to implement the CBA and assign interns as stipulated in the agreement. We are not ready to renegotiate salary payments or tolerate CBA violations," said Atella.

He emphasized that neither victimization nor threats would compel them to return to work without the CBA being honored.

"If they succeed in violating our CBA, no CBA will be secure in this country. Our strike continues," he affirmed.

The ongoing doctors' strike has now reached its 47th day.

Last week, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) said that the government is unable to honor the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 2017.

"Currently, most State corporations rank between the 60th and 75th percentile. Similarly, commissions and independent offices operate within this salary structure," said SRC Chairperson Lyn Mengich.