Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Davji Atellah, has accused private hospitals of intentionally denying doctors internship opportunities after graduation.

Speaking in a local radio interview on Monday, January 12, 2026, Atellah said the union has been debating internships for medical students graduating every year, but private health facilities have been ignoring the governing law about the programme.

Denied opportunities

”We have been debating the internship opportunities for doctors graduating every year, with a budget of about 10 billion. Yet, some private hospitals operating within the same framework choose not to give these doctors opportunities, often bypassing the law to do so,” Atellah said.

He further revealed that this happens when most healthcare providers in the country face a shortage of doctors. Atellah went ahead to say that it is an irony to grapple with the shortage of doctors when between 1,000 and 1,300 graduate every year.

”Most hospitals face a shortage of doctors, yet the country graduates about 1,000 to 1,300 doctors every year. Unfortunately, the number being employed is insufficient, and the absorption rate in employment remains low,” he added.

Davji Atellah has further unearthed the trick used by private hospitals in Kenya, which involves not providing doctors with proper welfare and protection when hiring.

”You will notice that some employers confidently sign contracts paying employees only a third of their wages. Those who are Kenyans are often excluded because they know their rights. As a union, we advocate that every doctor, being employed whether foreign or local, should receive proper welfare and protection,” he said.

Homa Bay strike

Atellah’s remarks come at a time when KMPDU has issued a 21-day strike notice to the Homa Bay County Government following a consultative meeting with local doctors, citing unresolved welfare and employment issues that could disrupt healthcare services if not addressed promptly.

The union listed critical issues affecting medics, including delayed and denied promotions and redesignations, non-remittance of statutory deductions such as union dues, lack of medical cover, severe doctor shortages, harassment by county officials, denial of study leave, and arbitrary stoppage or illegal withholding of salaries.