Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Doctors on Strike.

Doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret have initiated a strike following unresolved grievances related to their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Led by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the protest centers on issues such as discriminatory contract terms, lack of medical cover, and non-remittance of statutory deductions by the hospital’s management. Doctors on contract are particularly affected, as they do not receive the same benefits as their permanent counterparts.

The union has highlighted the failure to promote doctors and the longstanding neglect of their contractual rights, including the absence of health coverage even within the hospital they serve. These grievances have been left unaddressed for months despite repeated calls for resolution, pushing doctors to take industrial action after a 14-day notice. With over four months of unpaid statutory deductions, some doctors are now facing challenges with credit ratings, further exacerbating their economic hardships.

This strike reflects a broader trend seen across Africa, where healthcare professionals and workers in various sectors continue to struggle for basic rights, fair pay, and better working conditions. Labor unions across the continent have been vocal about issues such as delayed payments, lack of benefits, and poor working conditions, prompting many to resort to industrial action. These collective movements underline the pressing need for governments and employers to prioritize workers' rights, address grievances in a timely manner, and ensure equitable treatment for all workers.