Doctors, civil servants to hold mass protest over salaries, medical cover

Doctors and civil servants plan to stage a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, March 18, protesting proposed salary cuts for intern doctors and the government's failure to implement the Public Officers Medical Fund under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS) have written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja requesting security during the demonstrations.

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said the picketing seeks to oppose salary reductions for intern doctors, which he noted would violate collective bargaining agreements signed in 2017 and 2021.

“The government must honour existing agreements instead of reneging on commitments that ensure fair remuneration for medical interns,” said Atellah.

UKCS Secretary General Tom Odege stated that civil servants have been left without medical cover due to the government’s failure to implement the Public Officers Medical Fund. He urged all affected workers, including teachers and police officers, to join the demonstration.

“The government continues to deduct funds for medical coverage, yet public officers cannot access healthcare services. We demand transparency and immediate implementation of the fund,” said Odege.

The protest will begin at Kenyatta National Hospital and proceed to the Ministry of Health, Parliament Buildings, the Social Health Authority, and the National Treasury.

The unions said they would abide by all regulations set by authorities and called for nationwide solidarity in their push for better working conditions and access to healthcare.