The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has canceled preparations to take the Ministry of Health’s headquarters at Afya House in Nairobi.

KMPDU announced preparations to occupy the premises on Monday, July 8, to ensure that all medical interns are assigned to health facilities around the country in accordance with the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Taking to X on Monday morning, KMPDU reversed its plans, citing ongoing discussions to ensure that the CBA agreement is met.

“We remain vigilant and committed to achieving fair outcomes for all interns,” they wrote.

The CBA was finalized in May, following a 56-day statewide doctors’ strike, as part of a return-to-work formula (RTWF) signed by the union and the government.

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah previously stated that the union has held a series of discussions to execute the return-to-work formula at Kenyatta National Hospital and the Ministry of Health.

According to Atellah, the internship posting disaster was supposed to be handled within 60 days, per the 2017 CBA.

“As we all know, the 60 days end on 7th of July 2024. So far we are in agreement with the Ministry of Health that interns must be posted as per CBA 2017 before the lapse of the 60-day negotiation window as per our Return to Work Formula,” Atellah said then.