Nationwide Health Crisis Looms as KMPDU Threatens Countrywide Strike Over Kiambu Stalemate
A crisis is looming in the health sector as Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) threatens to go on a nationwide strike in solidarity with doctors in Kiambu County.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the industrial action could start soon if both the national and county governments fail to address the long outstanding grievances of Kiambu medics who have been on strike for over four months.
Doctors in Kiambu County are demanding payment of salary arrears some of which have been pending for up to seven months. Dr. Atellah accused Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s administration of breaching an earlier agreement with the union saying the suffering of patients was unacceptable.
“We shall start demonstrations and invite the public to join us,” Atellah said. “We will march alongside mothers who have lost their children and carry their tiny coffins. On Monday we shall deliver to the President in Githunguri a petition signed by over 30,000 Kiambu residents.”
The union issued a 14-day strike notice warning that if the impasse is not resolved the KMPDU National Advisory Council will meet to authorise a national strike.
“If nothing changes in 14 days we shall convene to sanction a national strike in solidarity with our colleagues in Kiambu,” Atellah said.
The strike in Kiambu has already had tragic consequences. According to KMPDU at least 165 infants and 5 mothers have lost their lives due to the prolonged disruption of services.
But Kiambu County Government has dismissed these figures as exaggerated.
Chief Officer for Health Services Patrick Nyagah said the situation had been politicised, KMPDU was being used for political gain.
Nyagah also pointed out the national government’s decision to transfer medical interns from Kiambu to other counties as a major contributor to the health crisis saying it had stretched the already limited staff in county hospitals.
As both sides trade blame patients are bearing the brunt of the stalemate with fears growing that a national strike could paralyse Kenya’s already fragile public health system if an agreement is not reached soon.
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Nationwide Health Crisis Looms as KMPDU Threatens Countrywide Strike Over Kiambu Stalemate