A 14-day strike noting that is scheduled to expire on February 7, 2024 was issued by doctors stationed at the devolved unit on Wednesday night, raising concerns about the health of Kitui County residents.
In a meeting with members from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the physicians bemoaned their experiences with what they saw as labor exploitation.
Among the numerous problems they were facing, they listed years of denial of postgraduate study leaves, burnout, career stagnation, demotivation, and ongoing personnel shortages.
The doctors threatened to stop providing their services by the end of the strike notice if their demands are not addressed, even as they accused the county government of making false promises to address their problems over the years.
“We must admit that the plan to frustrate and mistreat doctors to the brink of depression can no longer be taken as business as usual and it must be put to a halt,” KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said in a statement to newsrooms following the meeting.
All labor rules, including the Employment Act and the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), must be followed.
“A crocodile infested river cannot be easily crossed by an individual and as a group we urge all doctors to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers in maintaining the dignity of our profession and pushing back against all forms of labour injustices.”
