William Ruto Dismisses Doctors' Demands As Kenya Marks 59th Labour Day Celebration

• President William Ruto addressed the KMPDU during his Labour Day speech, revealing that the government had agreed to implement 17 of their demands.
• Ruto explained that due to financial constraints, the government couldn't fulfil the remaining two demands, urging the doctors' union to call off their strike
• He stated that tough decisions must be made, even if they are unpopular, and reiterated that seeking popularity wasn't the government's priority
• Ruto added that his focus was on strengthening the economy to ensure fairness for all, including the doctors

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - President William has told off the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) over their demands.

During his Labour Day speech at Uhuru Gardens, the head of state revealed that the government had committed to implementing 17 KMPDU's demands.

Ruto insisted that the government was broke and hence couldn't fulfil the remaining two demands by KMPDU.

He urged the doctors' union to call their members back to work, adding that they would seek to resolve their issues down the road when the economy is self-sustaining.

"Out of the 19 issues, the government has agreed to 17; two remain pending because it's not feasible due to lack of funds. We're asking our doctors to return to work, and we'll address the remaining issues. We'll strengthen the economy, and everyone will get their fair share," Ruto said.

Why is Ruto against doctors' demands

The president further pointed out that he was not in the business of seeking popularity, reiterating his earlier statement on making tough and unpopular decisions.

Ruto added that he was not elected to be popular among Kenyans, adding that it was time Kenyans were honest about the situation.

"We must be brutally honest with each other. There's no need to seek popularity. We weren't elected to be popular," Ruto added.

Doctors strike called by KMPDU

• Laying the ground for the doctors' strike in late February 2024 was the posting of interns, for which the KMPDU blamed the national government over delays.
• The union later made good its strike threat with a solid 19-point grievance list, which they demanded the Ministry of Health to meet.
• Over 30 days later, the national government, through a Whole Nation Approach involving key players, is yet to strike a deal with the striking doctors.
• The bone of the contention happened to be the remuneration of the intern doctors, with the state arguing that it did not have the money to meet that particular demand.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.