The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has signed a Recognition Agreement with Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital in Othaya, paving the way for negotiations towards a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by December 2026. The agreement aims to address the working conditions of doctors working on locum terms at the hospital. KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah stated that the union and the hospital have committed to moving from discussions to implementing measures affecting doctors at the facility.
The Recognition Agreement covers medical insurance for doctors and measures to improve their retention at the Nyeri County facility. According to Dr. Atellah, the hospital is working to secure private medical cover for doctors, with implementation expected within two months. In the interim, consultations with Kenyatta National Hospital are ongoing to ensure doctors are covered. The union also wants the hospital to improve the retention of doctors, as public facilities outside major towns can struggle to retain medical staff when opportunities and incentives are concentrated in urban centers.
The hospital has confirmed that documentation required to convert locum doctors to permanent and pensionable terms is at an advanced stage and that it is aligning the process with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Dr. Atellah stated that KMPDU will continue engaging the hospital to ensure this process is completed by December. The CBA will provide an opportunity to negotiate additional benefits that could make the Othaya facility more attractive to doctors.
The Recognition Agreement was signed with Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Peter Muiruri. Dr. Atellah emphasized that the Recognition Agreement is not the finish line but the beginning of a commitment to deliver. He stated that KMPDU would now focus on implementation and accountability as negotiations towards the CBA continue.
Doctors working on locum terms at Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital may move to permanent and pensionable employment by December. The hospital and the union have agreed to begin negotiations on a deal addressing their working conditions. The agreement also covers medical insurance for doctors and measures to improve their retention at the Nyeri County facility.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has raised concerns over medical insurance for doctors at the facility. The union also wants the hospital to improve the retention of doctors, saying public facilities outside major towns can struggle to retain medical staff when opportunities and incentives are concentrated in urban centers.
Key points
- Doctors at Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital may move to permanent and pensionable employment by December.
- The Recognition Agreement aims to address the working conditions of doctors working on locum terms at the hospital.
- The agreement covers medical insurance for doctors and measures to improve their retention at the Nyeri County facility.
