KMPDU calls off 'Occupy MoH' strike, says discussion to post interns ongoing

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has called off plans to occupy the Ministry of Health's premises at Afya House in Nairobi.

KMPDU had announced plans to occupy the premises on Monday, July 8, to ensure that all medical interns are posted to health facilities nationwide in line with the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Taking to X on Monday morning, KMPDU made a U-turn on their plans and said that the decision has been prompted by ongoing discussions to ensure that the CBA agreement is met.

"We remain vigilant and committed to achieving fair outcomes for all interns," they wrote.

The CBA was ratified in May following a 56-day nationwide doctors' strike as part of a return-to-work formula (RTWF) inked between the union and the government.

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah had previously highlighted that the union has been holding a series of meetings with the aim of implementing the return-to-work formula at Kenyatta National Hospital and the Ministry of Health.

According to Atellah, the internship posting debacle was to be resolved within 60 days as per the 2017 CBA.

"As we all know, the 60 days end on 7th of July 2024. So far we are in agreement with the Ministry of Health that interns must be posted as per CBA 2017 before the lapse of the 60-day negotiation window as per our Return to Work Formula," Atellah said then.

"The Ministry of Health is to have an engagement with Treasury before our final meeting set for Thursday, 4th July 2024."

Minutes after this publication Atellah claimed that the union's account has been hacked, maintaining that the march is still on.