The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) boss, Davji Atellah, is unhappy with President Ruto's remarks on their ongoing strike and has declared that physicians will not stop organizing public protests.
President Ruto said doctors' expectations are unrealistic because the government is currently dealing with a massive salary bill. He said doctors will only receive what is made available, saying that it is time to live within our means.
“We mind them (doctors), we value the service they give to the nation, but we must live within our means. The resources we have are only sufficient to pay Ksh.70,000 for intern doctors. It is not a salary, it is only a stipend for one year then they will be employed,” he said.
Minutes after Ruto's proclamation, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah stated that they would not tolerate becoming "scapegoats for wage bill reduction" and that their demands remain on the table.
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"Despite government pressure, doctors' salaries, anchored on CBA, are non-negotiable. We won't compromise on fair compensation for our hard work. It's unjust to target us for wage bill control while state officers enjoy hefty paychecks," he wrote on X.
"We stand united against exploitation," he added.
Last week, the government presented a Ksh.2.4 billion offer to medical professionals, intending to assist resolve the continuing deadlock and enable for the posting of all qualifying medical student interns.
The doctors declined the offer because KMPDU Chairman Abi Mwachi and Secretary General Davji Atellah claimed it had not wholly implemented the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
SG Atellah has confirmed that the strike will continue, with a march on Tuesday, April 9. This will be the fourth week since physicians downed tools on March 14.
