The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) have declared their intention to hold a peaceful protest in Nairobi on Thursday.
In a letter addressed to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah outlined the purpose of the procession, citing concerns over the delayed posting of medical interns and the payment of fees for postgraduate students.
“We write to inform you of our intention to conduct a peaceful procession concerning the delayed posting of medical interns and the payment of fees for postgraduate students. The procession is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 29th February 2024, commencing at 9:30 am,” stated Atellah.
According to the letter, the medics plan to march from the Kenya Medical Association Centre in the Upper Hill area to the Ministry of Health offices, before proceeding to the Treasury headquarters in the city center.
In a bid to ensure the safety of all participants and maintain order, Atellah emphasized the importance of security during the event, requesting assistance from law enforcement agencies.
This announcement comes after Atellah’s recent threat of a nationwide strike in March if over 1,000 medical interns were not hired. He criticized the Ministry of Health for failing to absorb these medics, which he argued was depriving Kenyans of essential medical services.
“All the doctor interns must get their letters to internships by March 1st, otherwise we will go to the Ministry of Health to collect these letters,” Atellah asserted during a press address on February 20.
“We are putting the Ministry of Health, the Treasury, the Council of Governors and the whole country on notice that by February 29 and March 1, if we do not have direction on posting of interns, all the doctors in this country will be on a go-slow.”
