Kenyan hospital lays off 100 striking doctors

The management of Kenyatta University Referral Hospital in Nairobi announced on Tuesday that they had laid off 100 doctors who are participating in a nationwide strike that has been ongoing for nearly a month. The hospital has hired new doctors to replace those on strike.

The doctors in Kenya initiated the strike in mid-March to demand improved pay and working conditions. Despite President William Ruto stating that there is not enough money to pay the striking doctors, the doctors’ union remains steadfast. On Tuesday, hundreds of doctors protested and submitted a petition to parliament seeking intervention in the labor dispute.

This strike is reminiscent of a previous strike in 2017, where doctors in Kenya went on a 100-day strike resulting in deaths due to lack of care. The strike ended with an agreement between the doctors’ union and the government to increase pay, but doctors now claim that some of the agreed-upon terms have not been carried out.