KMPDU (Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union) have supported the nationwide strike by UASU and KUSU. Addressing the press at Kenyatta National Hospital on Thursday, KMPDU Secretary General Ouma Oluga said lecturers who are doctors haven’t been paid their allowances and this has affected service delivery, “We can’t wait anymore, we’ve done enough waiting,” he said. He said there is a big disconnect in the way universities are dealing with staff, and that the Education Ministry should take a keen interest in matters dealing with Universities, “Universities also don’t have a keen interest in dealing with the Education Ministry,” he added.
The KMPDU Secretary General faulted the government for lacking concern and seriousness, evidenced by their reluctance to implement the lecturers’ 2017-2021 CBA. “As KMPDU we want to issue a strong warning to the public, if you know your child is in a medical school or any public University then know they won’t be taught,” he said. He lauded the efforts made by Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki to deal with issues facing them, although he said she had already been misadvised, “We hope she reaches out to her colleagues at the Education Ministry and the treasury, and we expect all unions present shall find an agreement,” he said. He criticized the government for failing to honour an agreement they agreed and said the lecturers’ strike won’t be called off until all the issues including allowances are solved.
