MINUTES OF DOCTORS' KAMUKUNJI HELD ON 28th Jan 2012

7/31/2019 MINUTES OF DOCTORS' KAMUKUNJI HELD ON 28th Jan 2012

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MINUTES OF IMPROMPTU KAMUKUNJI HELD ON 28/1/2012Venue: Myks Lodge, Chester House, NairobiPresentKMPDU officials:Dr Ngani

Dr Boniface ChitayiDr Wambui WaithakaDr Vitalis OgollaDr Gladys MwangiDr Onyimbo KeramaDr Bosire/Dr Ndolo (registrars representative to the Taskforce)Dr Sultani Matendechero (Chairing the session)Dr Kairithia (taking minutes)

Approximately 30 members drawn from all over the country who attended the pressconference (PC).

Absent with Apologies: All KMPDU members who could not make it due tocommitment at work.Introduction

After delivering the press statement organized by the union leadership to protestagainst delays in implementation of the RTWF the doctors present organized animpromptu informal meeting (Kamukunji). This was a forum for the doctors to air theirviews concerning matters of the union and also get some feedback from the leadership.The following issues were discussed not necessarily in order of importance/priority. Theviews were expressed in turns and in spontaneous matter since there was no agenda(hence a Kamukunji)

1.Allowances: members expressed concerns about the memos that have beenexchanging in relation to the allowances awarded to the doctors as a packaged in theRTWF. The Union leadership notified the members that these allowances were meantfor ALL doctors regardless of their stations. This is clearly stated in the RTWF. Howeversome operatives at Afya house particularly the office of HR has been working hard tosabotage the implementation of the agreement signed and witnessed by more than4ministries. This would not be tolerated whatsoever. At the time of the meeting theofficers at the Afya house were working extra hard to ensure that the allowances werecaptured in the Jan pay with backdated dues for Dec when the RTWF was signed.

2. Registrars issues: the members regretted that while the registrars played a pivotalrole in making the strike a success, most of them felt they were left out. Most registrars

it was noted felt out of place and were reluctant to take part in any industrial activityunless their plight was addressed. That is long working hours and unpaid work that wastermed as slavery. This the union leader informed members was due to barrierserected by the universities concerned to the effect that they did not think unpaid workwas being paid. The chairman informed members present that the Union was exploringall avenues to have their issued settled to the benefit of the registrars. He cited theCollege of health sciences Leadership as having stood other the way of a matter that


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should have been resolved, by not proving the required curriculum hrs as was asked bythe ministry.

The matter may eventually end up in court if nothing is achieved from the efforts ofboth the taskforce and the Negotiating teams.

1. Recognition agreement: The members expressed concerns on length of time it tookto have this document signed. This was explained was due to a technicality that arosewhen the AG tried to sneak in an adulterated document that was bent on stifling theunion form fighting for the doctors. The alternative document was against the mainprinciples why the union was formed. The chairman noted that KMPDU enjoyed backingfrom the Ministry of Labor through the deputy labor commissioner, Mr. Omondi. Itwould take a few more days for the agreement to be signed and this would becommunicated to he members promptly.

2. Private hospital agenda: the members indicated that doctors working in privatehospitals were explored to unfair working conditions, were overworked and underpaid.

In order to get the Union rolling towards these institutions, they must have evidence of50%+1 through signed forms (Dr Kerama had circulated these forms earlier). Thenthey were to fill in the check off forms after which the hospital would a) sign arecognition agreement and b) sign a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Thereforethe ball was thrown to the membership to fulfill this and then hand over the rest to theUnion.

3. Registration numbers: The initials DU stood for Doctors Union (and not DuodenalUlcer!), the chairman clarified. While it was regrettable that the process to assign thesenumbers, the union leadership informed members that it would take longer to havethese reconciled so that the numbered were assigned to paid up members only. It could

take up to 2wks but the secretariat was working round the clock (aka-purning midniteoils). Therefore there was no cause to worry

4. Face book account: it was noted by members that there were many such accounts-KMPDU original, welfare, official among others. While the process of porting guys fromthe old open webpage was taking too long, this was due to strict vetting happening.There are people using pseudo names on the face book therefore making the vettingtedious. The members were urged to be patient and prove they were paid up beforethey could be added to the group. Similarly, it was noted that the people who are verycritical to the union were either student of common mwananchi. Therefore it wasagreed that ONLY paid up members would be included. It was noted that there weremany leaks before, during and after the strike and this made our strategy known even

before execution by the government moles

The face book remains a preferred way to communicate now since members responsesand reactions can be obtained in real time unlike emails. More than 75% of all emailprovide during the registration were defective due to error in writing. Therefore while itis the desire of the Union to deliver personalized email to each member, this was notpossible for now.


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It was also emphasized that the Union leadership stood for democracy and nomembers posts were deleted. The hitch noted was something to do with the face bookitself.

1. Communication: the members present expressed a need to have the county officesstrengthened and empowered to handle local membership issues. As such somecommunication was to happen through these offices. The elected officials must knowtheir people and account for them at all times. Similarly, it was noted that majority ofthe consultants are not on the social media hence reaching them is hard. An innovativeway was to be explored to communicate with these consultants since they are integralto the Union. The Union stands for all doctors from the consultants, to registrars, toMOs, interns and to some extent the medical students.

2. Course of action, making adequate preparation: The recent strike collapsed dueto technicalities explained in another forums. Therefore the members present wanted toknow if the union was making adequate preparation incase industrial action becomesthe only language to communicate. These includes, having a lawyer with experience inlabor laws, empowering members to remain firm, proper communication, unionsfinancial ability to hire legal team. The members conceded that at the moment theissues that were being cited as weaknesses in the last strike still exist and must besolved so as to move forward.

3. 9. Other responses from the NECa) Check off: this was to be effected to ensure that the union has a financial muscleto tackle the employers. Therefore plans were underway to have embers commit tosupport the union through monthly deductions.b) Trust: members were urged to trust NEC to make decisions that were beneficial

to the Union. It was disheartening to read vitriol on the net yet these persons writingwere not offering tangible solutions.c) Communication: regular communication will be provided through the official facebook page. All discussions taking place there shall inform the leadership when makingcritical decisionsd) BELINDER KAMAR: this is an industrial lawyer who came in for offer advice. Sheencourages members to participate in shaping the agenda for the Union. Sheencourages members to deal with negative politics in a mature manner, hold regularstrategic sessions, involve members in decision making, and looking at both sides of thecoin.e) County reps must meet the NEC regularly. Members must consider the issue at

hand to avoid sidetracking.f) |member were urged to consider what the Union has so far achieved and buildon this to boost optimism instead of focusing on the wrongs.g) Members were urged to forgive any offense to move forward as a unit in order toachieve the ultimate goal of Emancipating the Kenyan Doctor, Dentist and Pharmacist.10. Adjournment: there being no other business, the Kamukunji was adjourned at6pm.


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God bless the Union and it Leaders, God Bless the members, and God blessKenya.

Documents

MINUTES OF DOCTORS' KAMUKUNJI HELD ON 28th Jan 2012