The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret is currently locked in crisis talks with officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to avert a looming doctors' strike.
The union issued a 14-day strike notice on July 23, accusing the hospital management of breaching multiple agreements, including the failure to fully implement a Return-to-Work Formula signed after a previous industrial action.
With the notice set to expire at midnight on August 6, doctors have warned that they will down their tools if their grievances are not addressed.
MTRH chief executive officer Dr Philip Kirwa confirmed that talks are ongoing between the hospital management and the union.
“Yes, we are aware of the strike notice, but I can’t say much at this stage since the matter is under conciliation,” said Kirwa, expressing optimism that a resolution will be reached.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who was in Eldoret last week, said his office had not yet officially received the strike notice. “The strike notice will be dealt with accordingly once it reaches us,” he said.
KMPDU secretary general Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah accused the MTRH leadership of hostility and non-compliance with signed agreements, claiming that doctors' working conditions had continued to deteriorate.
“We have been taken in circles, negotiating and signing agreements that are later ignored. Enough is enough,” said Atellah. He added that MTRH had failed to implement the Return-to-Work Formula signed on February 19, 2025.
According to Atellah, the hospital has also failed to provide comprehensive medical cover for doctors, forcing many to seek cover from substandard insurers. “MTRH has perfected the culture of disregarding workers’ welfare.”
The union further accused the hospital of failing to remit statutory deductions to various institutions, despite deducting them from doctors’ salaries. Other grievances include delayed payment of salary, continued employment of doctors on contract terms—contrary to the RTWF—and disobedience of court orders.
“The working environment at the hospital has left many doctors depressed, disillusioned and desperate,” Atellah said.
KMPDU is demanding the full implementation of the Return-to-Work Formula, comprehensive medical insurance for all doctors, immediate payment of salary arrears, and the conversion of contract doctors to permanent and pensionable terms.
KMPDU’s North Rift branch secretary Dr Kamonzi Mulei said the outcome of the ongoing conciliation meetings will determine whether the strike proceeds.
“We have agreed to participate in conciliation, but if the hospital fails to meet our demands, we will down our tools,” Mulei said. “This time, we will stay put until our grievances are resolved.”
