KMPDU Boss Issues Fresh Strike Notice, Warns Government

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued the government with a seven-day ultimatum to address the ongoing nurses’ strike. The union warned that doctors could join the industrial action if authorities fail to resolve the dispute and restore essential services in public hospitals.

KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said the prolonged nurses’ strike has placed considerable pressure on healthcare facilities across the country. He explained that patients who require nursing care are struggling to receive essential services, creating difficult conditions for both patients and medical workers.

Atellah said doctors are being forced to handle heavier workloads because of the shortage of nurses in public hospitals. He cautioned that continued pressure on the available medical personnel could further compromise the quality and safety of healthcare services.

According to the KMPDU secretary-general, public hospitals have experienced serious operational challenges during the strike. He argued that the government could not continue treating the situation as normal while an important component of healthcare delivery remained disrupted.

The union’s warning comes as the dispute between nurses and authorities over a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) remains unresolved. Nurses have been demanding implementation of outstanding provisions contained in the agreement, while negotiations between their representatives and government authorities have continued.

Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi recently appealed to the striking nurses to return to work as discussions continued. He maintained that negotiations had been taking place before the strike began and urged the parties involved to pursue a solution through continued engagement.

The nationwide nurses’ strike began in late July after talks failed to settle their outstanding demands. The industrial action has since affected nursing services in public hospitals, increasing pressure on county governments and national authorities to find an agreement.

KMPDU has now warned that the continued disruption could have wider consequences for Kenya’s already stretched healthcare system. The union says doctors are facing increased workloads and that the situation could become increasingly difficult if the strike continues without a resolution.

The seven-day ultimatum therefore places renewed pressure on the government to reach an agreement with the striking nurses. Failure to resolve the dispute could result in doctors joining the industrial action, potentially causing further disruption to healthcare services nationwide.

Source. https://read.kenyans.co.ke/p91Or

Kenyans Outraged as SHA Abandons Monthly Payments, Demands Full-Year Fee Upfront

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A fresh storm is brewing across the country as the Social Health Authority (SHA) quietly shifts its payment policy—demanding Kenyans pay a full year’s premium upfront before accessing healthcare services.

Previously, Kenyans were allowed to contribute monthly, making the scheme accessible to low-income earners. However, patients are now being turned away at hospitals unless they settle the entire Ksh12,460 annual subscription.

This abrupt change, which caught many off-guard, has triggered a flood of complaints online. Citizens are expressing disbelief and anger, citing cases where even those who had paid monthly contributions were denied treatment.

One affected Kenyan, John Nalugala, shared, “I paid Ksh1,030 for two months, but now I’m being told to pay the full amount. Is SHA for the rich only?” Another, Linda George, recounted how Level 4 hospitals refused to serve her unless she paid the yearly fee.

Adding fuel to the fire, those unable to pay upfront are being asked to take Hustler Fund loans to cover the cost—essentially pushing them into debt just to access medical services.

This development comes despite President William Ruto’s recent launch of the ‘lipa pole pole’ model, which was marketed as a flexible payment plan for informal sector workers. But under the new arrangement effective June 2025, the monthly model has been scrapped, and staggered payments are only possible through Hustler Fund loans.

The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the outcry. Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga has urged Kenyans to document their experiences. SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi also promised to investigate the issue and update the public soon.

Meanwhile, thousands of Kenyans who trusted SHA for affordable healthcare are left stranded and disillusioned, as the reality of an expensive and inaccessible system kicks in.

Ruto Secures New Trade Deals as Kenya Eyes Chinese and EU Markets

 

President William Ruto has announced major strides in trade diplomacy, revealing ongoing negotiations that could open up Kenya’s access to massive international markets. Speaking on recent engagements, Ruto highlighted the landmark EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which grants Kenyan exporters duty-free, quota-free access to the European Union.

In addition to the EU deal, Ruto shared updates from his latest trip to China, where he raised concerns over the glaring trade imbalance between the two nations. “We import over Ksh.600 billion worth of goods from China, yet they buy only Ksh.40 billion from us,” he noted, terming it an unsustainable disparity.

To address this, the president disclosed that China has agreed to pursue a bilateral trade agreement with Kenya aimed at eliminating tariffs on Kenyan exports. He said a technical team is already preparing to travel to China to finalize the deal, which could unlock access to the Chinese market for key agricultural products.

“I expect that by September or latest October, we will have sealed the agreement,” Ruto said. He emphasized that the pact would boost exports of avocados, tea, coffee, and macadamia nuts to China’s population of over one billion people.

China has also announced a broader initiative to scrap tariffs on imports from all 53 African countries it has diplomatic relations with. This comes after a high-level meeting in Changsha, where Chinese and African leaders discussed trade expansion and policy cooperation.

According to China’s foreign ministry, Beijing is eager to welcome high-quality African products, signaling a shift towards more balanced trade partnerships. Experts believe this could help African nations reduce their deficits with China, which last year stood at a staggering Ksh.8 trillion.

Analysts say China’s renewed interest in African markets is also backed by its pledge of 360 billion yuan in credit and investments over three years. This move could revitalize infrastructure and development funding that had slowed during the pandemic.

As Kenya positions itself at the forefront of African trade reforms, Ruto’s administration is banking on strategic diplomacy to spur economic growth and open up new opportunities for Kenyan farmers and exporters.

You Must End Doctors Strike, People Are Dying - Raila Sends Message to President Ruto

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has broken his silence on the prolonged doctors' strike in Kenya, urging both the government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to find common ground to end the standoff. The strike, which has halted medical services across the country, has left many Kenyans without access to essential healthcare.

Speaking after an ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Lavington, Nairobi, Mr. Odinga emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve the impasse. He called for a return to negotiations, urging both parties to consider the welfare of Kenyans and the importance of a functional healthcare system.

One of the key points highlighted by Mr. Odinga was the maintenance of medical interns' salaries at Ksh.206,000 as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2017. He suggested that adhering to this agreement could serve as a temporary solution while negotiations for a new CBA continue. By addressing this issue, Mr. Odinga believes that it could pave the way for broader discussions and ultimately lead to a resolution.

The prolonged strike has taken a toll on patients, healthcare workers, and the healthcare system as a whole. With medical services paralyzed, many Kenyans have been left without access to vital treatments and procedures. Mr. Odinga's intervention comes at a crucial time, offering hope for progress in resolving the crisis.

As negotiations continue, both the government and the KMPDU must prioritize the interests of the people they serve. Finding a middle ground is essential to ensuring the resumption of medical services and the well-being of all Kenyans. With Mr. Odinga's appeal for dialogue and compromise, there is renewed optimism for a swift resolution to the doctors' strike and the restoration of healthcare services across Kenya.