KMPDU puts Nairobi County gov’t on notice over mistreatment of young doctors

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a warning to the Nairobi County government over what it terms as the unfair treatment of young medics posted to various hospitals across the devolved unit.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, in a statement to newsrooms, said the young doctors are plagued with job insecurity as the county government has declined to renew their contracts from February, instead telling them to apply for the jobs afresh.

According to Dr. Atellah, however, the re-application process is only a formality as officials of the administration have reportedly been taking bribes from preferred doctors whom they will eventually give the jobs.

“We must begin to question some of the HR processes being undertaken by county governments and especially Nairobi County. We are aware that the so-called interviews are just but a sham as the county mandarins have been busy collecting bribes and demanding sexual favours from our desperate colleagues,” he stated.

“We must say No! As KMPDU, we have gone to court but we are fully aware that we may have to employ our ‘broad spectrum antibiotic’ aka Industrial action to cure this mess once and for all!”

The KMPDU boss further went ahead to cite tribulations faced by doctors attached to Nairobi County such as; failure to remit third party deductions, double taxation of clinics owned and run by doctors, private hospitals underpaying while overworking doctors, as well as locums being taxed on Pay As You Earn (PAYE) basis.

Dr. Atellah hence stated that should the Governor Johnson Sakaja-led administration fail to address these issues, then the union may be forced to resort to a strike to force its hand.

“This is the reason why a collective and resounding resolution was made by all to strike hard! We shall shut down all health services in this city if the employers want to treat doctors like slaves as they profit from their sweat and blood,” he said.

“They either treat us with dignity or face the wrath of a unified force of doctors, conscious of their plight and continued exploitation. The Kenyan doctor is not going to beg for decent work and dignity. It must be acknowledged that labour rights are fundamental human rights.”