Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has vowed to intensify its ongoing nationwide strike. KMPDU boss Davji Atellah at a past press briefing on the plight of Kenyan doctors. Kenyan doctors have been on strike since Thursday, March 14, over the government’s failure to post the interns and the health ministry’s non-compliance with the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah has called for a peaceful procession on Tuesday, April 9, in Nairobi. In a letter addressed to Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei, Atellah informed law enforcement of their plans to commence at 9am. “We write to inform you of our intention to conduct a peaceful procession concerning the Doctors’ Nationwide strike to highlight the State of Healthcare in Kenya. The procession is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 9th April 2024, commencing at 9:00 am,” read the letter in part. Why is KMPDU notifying police of planned march Atellah called on the police to provide security and ensure the safety of all medics during the procession. He revealed that they would start their march from the Kenyatta National Hospital to the Ministry of Health, then the Council of Governors and conclude at the Treasury. “In light of the importance of maintaining order and ensuring the safety of all participants. we kindly request your assistance in providing security during this event. Your cooperation and support in facilitating a peaceful and orderly procession would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” added Atellah. Susan Nakhumicha claims doctors’ strike is sponsored Meanwhile, the Health CS said her presumed detractors sponsor her latest tribulations. Nakhumicha has been under pressure from a section of Kenyans who argue that she has failed to properly run the critical docket, compounding things for being the doctors’ strike. According to her, the happenings in her Ministry were the work of envious detractors who seemed unimpressed with her commitment to streamline the health sector, including those she claimed were aggrieved after they were denied the chance to fleece state agencies like KEMSA and the NHIF.
by Didacus Malowa