Kenya : Government, Medical Doctors Reach Deal

The Union of Public Hospital Doctors in Kenya on Wednesday May 8, 2024 signed a return to work agreement with the government putting an end to a 56-day strike. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), with more than 7,000 members, went on strike on March 15, 2024 to demand payment of their salary arrears and the immediate hiring of trainee doctors, among other grievances. Several television channels in the country showed footage of the union officials and senior government officials shaking hands after signing the landmark documents. 
Speaking after endorsing the agreement, the Minister of Health, Susan Nakhumicha said, “We have signed a return to work formula and the union has called off the strike.” While Dhavji Atellah, KMPDU's Secretary General said, “One thing we must assure everybody, every doctor, every person that the rights of workers as enshrined in the collective bargaining agreement that is signed is that it is sacrosanct, we will always endeavor to protect that.”
The doctors' arrears arose from a 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the union said. Doctors were also demanding the provision of adequate medical insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents. He said the hiring of interns demand was still pending in c...