MTRH nurses to strike in solidarity with colleagues
Uasin Gishu nurses’ strike is in its third week with no efforts to resolve impasse
1mon agoBY MATHEWS NDANYIRift-valley
MTRH Chief Officer Dr Phillip Kirwa and KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah display copy of a return to work deal they signed in Eldoret on February 11, 2025,/MATHEWS NDANYIThe doctors strike at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret have been called off their strike after the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union signed a deal with the hospital management.
The hospital management, led by CEO Phillip Kirwa, signed a return-to-work deal with doctors union KMPDU, ending the strike, which lasted for seven days since February 4.
KMPDU officials who signed the deal were led by Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah and Dr Darwin Ambuka, who is branch chairman, along with Dr Kamunzi Mule, who is branch secretary.
Atellah called off the strike and asked the doctors to resume work within 24 hours.
“We are happy that our strike, which has lasted for about six days, was not in vain and the issues we were asking for have been achieved," said Dr Atellah.
He said the Treasury had agreed to release funding, which would lead to immediate and full implementation of the demand by doctors.
The doctors were protesting over failed implementation of key issues, including delayed promotions and lack of medical cover for some of them.
“We have agreed that the promotions will be implemented with doctors receiving their letters immediately," said Dr Atellah.
KMPDU also protested over failure by the hospital to employ doctors who had been on contract for long, and the union said the issue had been resolved.
The doctors were also demanding remittances of more than Sh1 billion for statutory and third-party deductions and another Sh600 million for bank loans. Dr Atelllah said the money would be remitted as agreed.
“We gave the strike notice on January 22nd and the issues pertained to our members, and the strike commenced on February 4th, but we have had engagements with the board since then," said Dr Atellah.
Dr Kirwa said they were happy with the deal ending the strike and said the services at the hospital would resume as usual.
“We are back to full operations and assure our clients of quality services as usual," said Dr Kirwa.
He said the hospital was committed to effective service delivery to Kenyans, hence the quick action to end the strike as quickly as possible.
Dr Kirwa said the hospital would continually work with the unions and staff to ensure smooth operations.
“The strike had affected our services, but we are happy that our services will now resume fully," Dr Kirwa said.
Dr Atellah said with the goodwill from the management and the board, they hope there will be no need for strikes in the future.
