President William Ruto speaks out on ongoing doctors’ strike
By Elizabeth NgigiPresident William Ruto has broken his silence on the ongoing strike in the health sector, revealing that the government is ready to pay intern doctors Ksh70,000 for a year.
He also urged an end to the strike now three weeks strike.
Speaking during a church service at AIC Fellowship in Eldoret on Sunday, April 7, the Head of State described the offer as a stipend for medical interns before they are absorbed into permanent positions.
“I know we have a situation in Kenya with our doctors and interns. I want to implore them that it is important for us as a nation that we must live within our means,” he said.
“We cannot continue to spend money we do not have. I am telling the doctors that we appreciate and value the service they provide to our nation, but we must live within our means.”
Ruto highlighted that the government’s offer of Ksh70,000 for intern doctors is the best resource available to address the strike.
“The resources we have are only sufficient to pay Ksh70,000 for intern doctors. It is not a salary, it is a stipend for one year and then they are employed,” Ruto clarified.
“All our doctors and doctor interns will be absorbed. That is why we are going to spend the resources we have to ensure that all 1,500 doctors are absorbed at once. As a nation, we must live within our means.”
This announcement comes amid a strike by medical personnel associated with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), demanding the government to honor past agreements, including the deployment of medical interns.
The Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union, alongside Pharmaceutical Technologists and Nutritionists, also joined the strike, citing issues of recognition, discrimination, and inadequate pay affecting post-interns.
Brown Ashira, General Secretary for the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union, emphasised, “Recognition agreement is paramount. We have met the requirements, and recognition is warranted.”
Their demands, directed to Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, also include the absorption of all Universal Health Coverage staff and Covid-19 response teams.