Nandi Women Representative Cynthia Muge has expressed confusion over the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) strike, citing the well-paid nature of medical professionals in the country.
Speaking on a local TV station, the woman representative questioned the necessity of the strike noting the substantial salaries received by medical interns, which according to her can amount to up to Ksh206,000 per month.
"KMPDU is discriminatory because we have a good number of medics who are guaranteed internships for them to be licensed. Paid medical interns get paid up to KSh.206,000. I don’t know what exactly they're complaining about," Muge remarked.
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"I do not understand exactly what their problems are. The internship posting is not the problem. Medics are always guaranteed internships, unlike other professional courses. And they get good money. I cleared my fourth year at the University of Nairobi, I went out there to fend for myself, but medics complete their course and fold their hands- and are given internships. Other courses interns are paid around Ksh15,000 to Ksh20,000 at diploma level, but do you know what medic interns get for the same? They get good money, they are paid up to Ksh206,000," she asserted.
KMPDU strike
Muge's remarks came in light of the looming strike by KMPDU, which was temporarily halted by the Employment and Labour Relations Court just a day before its intended commencement on March 13, 2024.
The court's intervention followed a seven-day strike notice issued by KMPDU to the government on March 6, noting ongoing issues affecting healthcare workers nationwide.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah reiterated the union's stance on the unresolved issues affecting healthcare workers nationwide, indicating a lack of consensus with the government.
“Regrettably, the government has shown a lack of willingness to address these pressing concerns, leaving healthcare workers in a state of frustration and dismay. Therefore, it is with great disappointment that we announce the commencement of a nationwide strike starting from midnight today March 13, 2024,” Atellah said.
