Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has hinted at plans to cut the salary of medical interns.
She stated that the internship component must be closely monitored to support the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), even as she delivered the news.
"During our meeting in November-December, we talked about Sh206,000, but for the new cohort, we’re talking about Sh70,000," she said.
"Negotiations will begin to ensure this is implemented."
She was speaking on Monday, during a health summit with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at his Karen residence.
Barasa emphasised the need for innovative health financing mechanisms, including the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF).
This, she said, is to address funding gaps and sustain healthcare services.
She also underscored the importance of investing in Human Resources for Health (HRH) to ensure a well-trained and well-equipped healthcare workforce across all counties.
In response to her remarks on payment, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah warned of an impending strike.
“Anytime you touch our salaries, you are inadvertently giving yourselves a strike notice as the government,” he said in a tweet on X.
Atellah urged medical interns to unite and express their grievances by downing their tools.
“Consider it served! Interns, let us meet on February 20, 2025. When you call for action, we respond swiftly!” he said.
During a meeting in December 2024, a deal was signed for intern doctors to receive Sh206,000 per month as salaries.
This is according to the Memorandum of Understanding previously signed between the government and KMPDU.
The agreement, which was signed in the presence of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, resulted in the cancellation of a doctor’s strike.
On December 3, while giving notice for the strike, Atellah stated that the initial 2017 collective bargaining agreement had been neglected.
According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the lowest-paid doctor (intern) earns about Sh212,000 inclusive of all allowances, every month. The highest-paid consultants walk home with about Sh814,000.
"The Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) in Eldoret rendered judgement on consolidated petitions on October 17, 2024, upholding the legality of the SRC circular however the court observed that SRC rates were at variance with 2017 CBA and it directed that we negotiate with KMPDU in 90 days and to forestall the strike we met in December 2024 and interns were posted," the CS stated.
"The CBA rates were effected and now there is a current cohort that will be joining 4,332 in all cadres and there is a need to resolve the stipend rates of interns once and for all."
