Kenyan Doctors Strike Enters Day 7: Government Fails to Fulfil Promises

Kenyan doctors are on a nationwide strike, accusing the government of failing to implement promises from a 2017 collective bargaining agreement. The strike have entered the seventh day

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union demanded comprehensive medical coverage for doctors and the government’s failure to post 1,200 medical interns. Despite a labor court order requesting the strike to be put on hold, 4,000 doctors are participating.

The union leaders claim they will disregard the court order, similar to the government’s disregarded three court orders to increase basic pay and reinstate suspended doctors. The strike is affecting hospitals across Kenya, with many patients left unattended or turned away.

In 2017, doctors held a 100-day strike to demand better wages, restoration of public-health facilities, and continuous training of doctors to address a shortage of health professionals.