Hundreds of medical, dental, and pharmacy interns have vowed not to relent until their demands are met.
The groups gathered at the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday to demand their immediate posting, citing years of waiting after completing their studies.
They said that they have been at home for two years now.
They say failure to have them posted is jeopardizing their future.
In a joint statement, the interns said they have endured more than six years at medical school to acquire life-saving knowledge and skills.
The interns said the delay in posting has caused them immense psychological suffering, with many of them grappling with depression.
“We have been at home for two years now. Our knowledge is decaying, and we are losing opportunities to advance our lives. The psychological suffering we endure is immense. Without a license, we cannot practice medicine,” they said.
They emphasized their right to be posted within 30 days of completing their studies as stipulated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU).
The interns issued a two-pronged ultimatum to the Ministry of Health.
Their first demand is for immediate posting of all interns with payments made in batches as resources become available.
The second option they said if the first is not met, they will occupy the Ministry of Health headquarters until their pleas are heard.
The interns rejected claims by the Ministry that tight fiscal space necessitates posting in batches.
They argued that the Ministry must find a way to post all interns at once, similar to how they would find resources for subsequent batches.
The interns appealed to Kenyans to stand with them in solidarity as they fight for their rightful opportunities.
They highlighted their role in the past by supporting Kenyans during the Finance Bill Protests and urged Kenyans to return the favour by amplifying their voice.
“Fellow Kenyans, medical interns do real work. Our labour generates income for the system, and that is why we are saying no to impunity! Punda amechoka! We stood with you during the Finance Bill Protests, and now it is your time to stand with us,” They said.
They also emphasized their readiness to serve Kenyans but were denied the opportunity they worked hard for.
They demanded an end to impunity and for the Ministry to fulfil its obligation to post them within the stipulated timeframe.
