Here is what you need to know to keep up to speed with today’s happenings.

Looming health crisis

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a strike notice to the Ministry of Health over a standoff involving the salary of intern doctors.

In a statement on Thursday, February 20, 2025, KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah lamented that the Ministry of Health was rescinding its earlier negotiations on the salaries of intern doctors.

“We, therefore, issue an ultimatum to the Ministry: By 18th March 2025, all interns must be posted and paid in full as per the existing CBA. Failure to comply will result in nationwide strikes, protests, and the withdrawal of medical services.” Atellah asserted further via the statement.

FULL RUPHA STATEMENT ON STATE OF HEALTHCARE IN KENYA #SHA pic.twitter.com/xS7h3ifkdG

— RUPHA_Kenya (@RuphaKenya) February 20, 2025

The strike notice was preceded by another communique from The Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA).

The body explained that it will discontinue offering medical services through the government scheme of the Social Health Authority cover.

“The Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA), representing hundreds of private and faith-based healthcare facilities nationwide, announces today (Thursday, February 20, 2025) a suspension of services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance scheme,” part of the association statement read.

In their statement, the association said the notice will take effect beginning Monday, February 24, 2025.

Kenya’s diplomatic relations

Reactions from Kenyan neighbouring nations are also on the cards with developments from South Sudan and Sudan among the countries involved in a potential diplomatic tiff with Kenya.

President William Ruto on Thursday, February 20, 2025, announced the the adjournment of the South Sudan peace talks that have been going on in the country for the last 11 months.

 According to a statement from the president, the decision followed a meeting with opposition holdout groups from South Sudan after a request from the South Sudan government delegation for additional time to facilitate discussions that would inform the next step.

“Met the Opposition Hold-Out Group of South Sudan and agreed, at the request of the South Sudan Government delegation, that the mediation process that has been going on in Nairobi adjourns until March 2025 to facilitate consultations that will inform the way forward,” Ruto said in his statement.

“At the request of President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, Kenya has been facilitating the mediation process for the past 11 months to resolve the political stalemate that has resulted in a serious humanitarian situation and difficult security challenges,” Ruto added.

 The foregoing comes at a time when William Ruto’s government is embroiled in a regional conflict with Sudan after it permitted a Sudanese militia – the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to hold a meeting in Nairobi to launch a parallel government in Khartoum.

The forces’ meeting in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, to plan for the launch of what it termed as a “Government of Peace and Unity”, has elicited sharp criticism with Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs now vowing to take action against Kenya for disregarding its obligations under the international law.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets the Kenyan government’s disregard for its obligations under international law, the charter of the United Nations… by hosting the event of signing the so-called political agreement between the terrorist Janjaweed militia- responsible for ongoing acts of genocide in Sudan – and its affiliated individuals and groups,” the ministry said in a letter to newsrooms.

“Equally, this action by the Kenyan government not only violates the principles of good neighbourliness but also contravenes the pledges Kenya has made at the highest levels not to allow hostile activities against Sudan to be carried out on its soil. It is, therefore, tantamount to an act of hostility against the entire Sudanese people,” added Sudan.

Burial of Senate speaker’s father

The burial of Senate speaker Amason Jeffa Kingi’s father is set to happen on Friday, February 21, 2025, in the senator’s home in Kilifi County.

According to the senator, Mzee Kingi’s remains were collected at a Mombasa Hospital mortuary before setting off for Adu, Kamale village in Kilifi County for a Memorial Service ahead of his burial on Friday, February 21, 2025.

The father passed on Sunday night February 9, 2025.

“We were joined by the clergy, political leaders, family friends, & mourners for an inter-denominational Memorial Service for our Patriarch Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa in Kamale. We deeply appreciate the overflow of sympathies &exhortations as we prepare to lay Mzee to rest tomorrow,” the speaker posted on his X account on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Harambee Starlets vs Tunisia

Harambee Starlets will face Tunisia in a crucial Women African Cup of Nation qualifier tie at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Friday, February 21, 2025.

The match scheduled for 3:00 pm will see Starlets face highly ranked Tunisia as they look for an early advantage ahead of the second leg meeting in Tunis.

VIP tickets are on sale for Ksh500 while terraces will cost Ksh100. This is the first round of the 2026 WAFCON Qualifiers, with the aggregate winner set to face either Niger or Gambia in the second round, scheduled for October this year.