Doctors in Meru, Isiolo issue strike notice over pay dispute

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union secretary general Davji Atellah on February 23  /HANDOUT

Continued violation of signed agreements between the government and doctors has triggered a pay dispute now headed for industrial action in Meru and Isiolo counties unless the cited grievances are resolved.

Doctors in the two counties issued a 21-day strike notice through their umbrella body, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, citing persistent failure to honour the Employment Act, the Labour Relations Act and the doctors’ 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“Take notice that upon the expiry of this 21-day period, if the county government fails to meet these demands in totality, all doctors shall withdraw their services and down tools effective midnight on Tuesday, June 2,” the notice signed by KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah says.

Meru doctors claim county government has failed to effect promotions, leading to stagnation of some doctors in the same job groups despite meeting Public Service Commission requirements.

They also accuse the county leadership of failing to hire more doctors to bridge existing staffing deficits, resulting in work overload, fatigue and burnout.

“This staffing gap contravenes the constitutional right to the highest attainable standard of health and efficient service delivery,” Atellah said.

Other grievances include failure to absorb contracted doctors into permanent and pensionable terms, denial of study leave and failure to pay salary arrears arising from the implementation of the third remuneration review cycle by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

Their counterparts in Isiolo also listed career stagnation and delayed promotions, persistent salary delays, failure to remit medical cover and statutory deductions, acute staffing shortages, excessive workload, and intimidation and a hostile working environment among their grievances.

“While over Sh7,000 is deducted for SHA, doctors are forced to pay for healthcare out-of-pocket. Statutory and pension deductions have not been remitted for up to six months, jeopardising the future financial security of our members.”

The union accused senior county officials of intimidating doctors, saying medics must be allowed to exercise their professional independence without the threat of administrative victimisation.

They said acute staffing shortages had seen consultants unfairly deployed in Job Group MN instead of their rightful Job Group Q, while at the Level 5 hospital, only seven medical officers were handling work meant for 50 doctors, leading to severe burnout and violation of the 40-hour work week.

Atellah said refusal to implement career progression had lowered morale, with some doctors remaining in the same job group for up to 15 years.

“Doctors cannot be expected to provide life-saving services while their own families face financial ruin. Salaries are routinely delayed by up to three months, forcing practitioners to beg for their hard-earned pay,” he said.

The secretary general said the union remained open to dialogue to resolve the outstanding issues but warned that “we will no longer accept promises without tangible implementation”.

He said communication to the Ministry of Health through a letter dated April 30, regarding the return-to-work formula signed on May 8, 2024 had not received a response.

Atellah said the union resolved to issue the strike notice during the Annual Delegates Conference held on May 9.