Crisis looms as KMPDU issue ultimatum over interns' pay

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists' Union Secretary General and CEO Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah addressing a past press conference/FILE

 

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) has claimed the Ministry of Health has imposed a salary cut for interns from Sh206,000 to Sh70.000.

KMPDU Secretary General and CEO Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah issued an ultimatum to the ministry demanding that all interns must be posted and paid in full as per the existing CBA by March 18, 2025.

“Failure to comply will result in nationwide strikes, protests, and the withdrawal of medical services,” Atellah said.

“Barely two months after signing an agreement securing full intern postings and salaries as per the 2017 CBA, the ministry of Health is now attempting to reverse these gains by imposing an outrageous salary cut from Sh206,000 to Sh70.000,” he said.

However, in a quick rejoinder, the Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the concerns of medical interns.

"Payments for the cohort of 1,247 interns currently in training centres are being made as per the 2017 CBA," MoH said in a statement shared on X.

"Negotiations are ongoing to resolve the conflict between the SRC’s advisory to the Ministry of Health and the CBA signed between the Ministry of Health and KMPDU, which provides for a stipend of Sh206,000 per month based on Job Group L."

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa had earlier hinted at plans to cut the salary of medical interns.

"During our meeting in November-December, we talked about Sh206,000, but for the new cohort, we’re talking about Sh70,000," she said.

She was speaking on Monday during a health summit with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at his Karen residence.

In his statement on Thursday, Atellah said the latest statement by the ministry is not only malicious but also “backward and shameful” and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

"Nowhere else but at the Ministry of Health do programmes evolve in reverse,” Atellah said in a statement.

He added that the union will tirelessly fight for the rights of its members.

“It does not matter how many times we must resist injustice, take to the streets, or go on strike-we will always be ready to fight for what is right,” he added.

He said the government must be stopped from its endless cycles of betrayal.

“As individuals, we may experience fatigue, but as a united medical fraternity, we will never tire, and we will never surrender,” he vowed.

Atellah asked the government to honour the agreement or face the full force of a determined and unwavering union.