The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja about a planned peaceful protest by physicians next week.
In a letter copied to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, Kilimani and Central Police Station OCPDs and OCSs, the Union announced that their rallies would commence at 8 a.m. and asked for police protection on that fatal day.
“This is to notify you that we shall be having a peaceful demonstration on Monday 16th December 2024 starting from 8:00 AM,” stated KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah in the letter.
“We therefore request you to offer us security on this important mission. We shall abide by all the regulations and guidelines given by your office.”
Dr. Atellah stated that the protests would begin at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), move to the Nairobi Hospital, and culminate in a march to the Ministry of Health and Parliament buildings.
According to the medics, the march is intended to persuade the state to implement the 2017 and 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) signed by the union, the national government, and the counties.
“The picketing is intended to compel the Government to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreements dated 30th June 2017 and 6th July 2021 and the Return-To-Work-Formula (RTWF) documents dated 8th May 2024 made between the union, ministry of health, national government, national referral facilities; and the other one made between the union and the county governments signed by the Chair of Council of Governors, Chair Human Resource Labour and Social Welfare and the Chair Health Committee, Council of Governors,” stated Dr. Atellah.
KMPDU has been pressuring the government to uphold its pledges to health workers, threatening to launch a massive nationwide physicians’ strike on December 22, 2024.
The doctors are protesting a variety of problems, including bad working conditions, delayed salary payments, and pay cuts, especially for medical interns.
Doctors Ready For The Streets As KMPDU Notifies Nairobi Police Commander Of Monday Demos.
