KMPDU gives Gov’t 30 days to reinstate Ksh.206K pay for intern doctors, or else…

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the government to resolve the ongoing internship wage crisis or face nationwide demonstrations starting March 18, 2025.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah says the union will not entertain discussions on wage reductions, emphasizing their role in maximizing salaries for doctors.

He accused the government of dishonesty and vowed to take any necessary action, including strikes, to ensure the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is upheld.

Dr. Atellah instructed doctors across the country to prepare, with meetings scheduled next week with health stakeholders to address the issue.

He further clarified that the problem is not about posting interns but ensuring that they receive fair wages, warning that failure to act will lead to mass protests.

“The minister was saying that they can’t afford to pay interns this year because of the USAID freeze by U.S President Donald Trump. If Trump is putting the U.S first, the government needs to put Kenyans first,” said the KMPDU boss.

“If the wages are to be reduced or changed, it should not start with intern doctors; it should be for all, and should start with the presidency and the ministers. That’s why we’re saying we will not have any discussion about reducing the wages, we will only have a discussion on when to post the interns and where to post them.”

Dr. Atellah had on Tuesday lashed out at Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa over her recent remarks on intern doctors’ wages.

He was responding to a video of CS Barasa speaking during Health Summit 2025 held on Monday at the Deputy President’s official residence in Karen.

CS Barasa, in the video, could be heard saying that the new cohort of intern doctors will be paid a Ksh.70,000 monthly salary, as opposed to the Ksh.206,000 as stipulated in the 2017 CBA.

Dr. Atellah warned of a potential return to the streets if the Ksh.206,000 pay, which was agreed on to end the strike in December last year, is not honoured.