Kenyan Hospital Dismisses 100 Striking Doctors as National Strike Approaches One-Month Mark

A public hospital located in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, has made a significant move by terminating the employment of 100 doctors who have been actively participating in a nationwide strike that has persisted for nearly a month, hospital management confirmed on Tuesday.

The Kenyatta University Referral Hospital stated that in response to the striking doctors, they have recruited new medical personnel to fill the vacancies left by those who are on strike.

Since mid-March, doctors across Kenya have embarked on a unified nationwide strike, advocating for improved pay scales and better working conditions within the healthcare sector.

In a notable development, President William Ruto addressed the ongoing strike on Sunday, acknowledging the financial constraints facing the government, stating that there are insufficient funds to meet the demands of the striking doctors. Ruto emphasized the necessity of fiscal responsibility, asserting that borrowing funds to fulfill salary obligations is not a viable option.

However, the doctors’ union remains resolute in its demands. On Tuesday, hundreds of doctors staged protests and submitted a petition to parliament, urging lawmakers to intervene and address their grievances regarding labor disputes.

This recent strike is not an isolated incident. Kenyan doctors have previously engaged in industrial actions due to inadequate remuneration and unfavorable working conditions. In 2017, a protracted 100-day strike paralyzed healthcare services, resulting in significant loss of life due to the absence of medical care. The strike concluded with the doctors’ union reaching an agreement with the government to enhance their salaries.

Despite the previous accord, doctors assert that certain aspects of the agreed-upon terms from 2017 have yet to be implemented, leading to the current standoff between healthcare professionals and the government.