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Former Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has emphasized that the demonstrations to occupy the Ministry of Health offices are not solely about labour issues.

His comments come at a time when KMPDU revealed that their social media accounts were compromised, resulting in a temporary cancellation of the planned demonstrations which have now kicked off.

Ouma Oluga on demos

Oluga highlighted that the protests also seek to address broader governance issues within the health sector, pointing out that medical interns have faced significant delays in postings, and clinical officers remain on strike.

“My colleagues currently leading KMPDU should realize that the issues fronted for #OccupyMoH go beyond labour struggles,” Oluga posted on his X account.

“They are also health governance issues. The interns have suffered immeasurable loss and damage over two years waiting for postings, and clinical officers are still on strike.”

Oluga, who has served as the Director of Health Services for the Nairobi Metropolitan, criticized the arrogance and refusal to abide by the rule of law, specifically regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

He suggested that the recent partial postings of interns at CBA rates might have been prompted by the threat of the Occupy MoH movement.

“We all heard the arrogance that accompanied that suffering. The outright refusal to abide by the rule of law – CBA. The same rule of law that has been fronted by the government in recent weeks. It is due to the #OccupyMoH threat that there may have been a token movement by MoH to post a section of interns at CBA rates,” Oluga stated.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for comprehensive action and the importance of citizens’ support for an overhaul of the health governance system.

“Even so, the numbers waiting are huge. And comprehensive action is still required. Friends, please note that the demand for justice, accountability, and governance goes way beyond the union, and KMPDU can ONLY absorb the citizens’ overwhelming support for an overhaul,” he concluded.

Last week, KMPDU announced, through a letter to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, that they would be occupying the Ministry of Health offices starting today, with sessions set for both day and night beginning at 9:00 am.

The letter, signed by KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atella, highlighted that their Return to Work Formula (RTWF), which stipulated that doctors and interns would receive their posting letters within 60 days, had not been honored. This period ends on Friday, July 7, 2024.

KMPDU request

The letter also requested the Nairobi Regional Police Commander to provide security for the participants during their occupation.

On May 8, 2024, KMPDU signed the RTWF agreement, bringing a 56-day strike to an end. Doctors had been on strike since March 14, paralyzing services across all public health facilities.

They were demanding the full implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 2017. Of the 19 issues raised by the doctors, six relate to counties, nine to the national government, and four to both levels of government. Among their demands was the posting of medical interns with a monthly salary of Ksh206,000.

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