Kitui County doctors issue 14-day strike notice

A health crisis looms in Kitui County after doctors posted in the devolved unit on Wednesday evening issued a 14-day strike notice set to lapse on February 7, 2024.

The doctors, during a meeting with their representatives under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), lamented of what they termed as labour exploitation experiences.

They cited perennial staff shortages, burnout, career stagnation, demotivation, stalled job promotions as well as years of denial of postgraduate study leaves as some of the many issues plaguing them.

While accusing the county government of making empty promises to resolve their issues over the years, the doctors vowed to withdraw their services by close of the strike notice if their demands are not met.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, in a statement to newsrooms after the meeting, said: “We must admit that the plan to frustrate and mistreat doctors to the brink of depression can no longer be taken as business as usual and it must be put to a halt. The 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Employment Act, and all labour laws must be adhered to.”

“A crocodile infested river cannot be easily crossed by an individual and as a group we urge all doctors to be our brothers' and sisters' keepers in maintaining the dignity of our profession and pushing back against all forms of labour injustices.”