- The unions on February 15 held a meeting with the health CS Susan Nakhumicha on the matter.
- The ministry blamed the delay in posting interns on the failure of the Treasury to release funds on time.
Health workers on Thursday staged a protest over the failure of the Ministry of Health to hire medical interns.
Health care is a right! Post us... what is it! The health workers carried placards as they blew whistles along the Nairobi streets.
Others wore white hospital caps as they danced and marched along with their colleagues.
“Post medical interns! We are ready to serve Kenyans,” one of the medics was heard shouting as he carried his green placard.
The procession started from Upper Hill and proceeded to Afya House.
They are expected to proceed to the National Treasury.
"Comrade power! Comrades... lets Pray, as we match to the relevant authorities, May we find the letters ready to collect, let us not hear stories," one of the medics was heard praying.
The adamant doctors danced to the instrumentals that were playing as they marinated it with the whistle blowing from every corner.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union wrote to the Nairobi area regional police commander to provide security during the procession.
But even as the match continued, doctors had issued a deadline of March 1 for relevant health stakeholders to ensure the placement of all pending medical interns.
“There is nothing about doctors without doctors. On Thursday, KMPDU will be marching to the Ministry of Health and Treasury and will be demanding posting letters and payment of fees,” KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah said.
“We cannot leave our fate at the mercy of the others. We know what is rightfully ours, and we must come out for it. If there are no struggles, there can be no progress; it is not time for promises. It is time for action.”
According to KMPDU, 1,215 medical interns are awaiting posting with some having waited for either six months or one year.
Last week, the union held a meeting with 611 interns in Nairobi during which it was agreed that posting of all pending interns be done by March 1.
The unions on February 15 held a meeting with the health CS Susan Nakhumicha on the matter.
The ministry blamed the delay in posting interns on the failure of the Treasury to release funds on time