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

Dr Boniface Chitayi Dr Wambui Waithaka Dr Vitalis Ogolla Dr Gladys Mwangi Dr Onyimbo Kerama Dr 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 press conference (PC). Absent with Apologies: All KMPDU members who could not make it due to commitment at work. Introduction After delivering the press statement organized by the union leadership to protest against delays in implementation of the RTWF the doctors present organized an impromptu informal meeting (Kamukunji). This was a forum for the doctors to air their views 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. The views 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 been exchanging in relation to the allowances awarded to the doctors as a packaged in the RTWF. The Union leadership notified the members that these allowances were meant for ALL doctors regardless of their stations. This is clearly stated in the RTWF. However some operatives at Afya house particularly the office of HR has been working hard to sabotage the implementation of the agreement signed and witnessed by more than 4ministries. This would not be tolerated whatsoever. At the time of the meeting the officers at the Afya house were working extra hard to ensure that the allowances were captured 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 pivotal role 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 activity unless their plight was addressed. That is long working hours and unpaid work that was termed as slavery. This the union leader informed members was due to barriers erected by the universities concerned to the effect that they did not think unpaid work was being paid. The chairman informed members present that the Union was exploring all avenues to have their issued settled to the benefit of the registrars. He cited the College of health sciences Leadership as having stood other the way of a matter that

should have been resolved, by not proving the required curriculum hrs as was asked by the ministry. The matter may eventually end up in court if nothing is achieved from the efforts of both the taskforce and the Negotiating teams. 1. Recognition agreement: The members expressed concerns on length of time it took to have this document signed. This was explained was due to a technicality that arose when the AG tried to sneak in an adulterated document that was bent on stifling the union form fighting for the doctors. The alternative document was against the main principles why the union was formed. The chairman noted that KMPDU enjoyed backing from the Ministry of Labor through the deputy labor commissioner, Mr. Omondi. It would take a few more days for the agreement to be signed and this would be communicated to he members promptly. 2. Private hospital agenda: the members indicated that doctors working in private hospitals were explored to unfair working conditions, were overworked and underpaid. In order to get the Union rolling towards these institutions, they must have evidence of 50%+1 through signed forms (Dr Kerama had circulated these forms earlier). Then they were to fill in the check off forms after which the hospital would a) sign a recognition agreement and b) sign a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Therefore the ball was thrown to the membership to fulfill this and then hand over the rest to the Union. 3. Registration numbers: The initials DU stood for Doctors Union (and not Duodenal Ulcer!), the chairman clarified. While it was regrettable that the process to assign these numbers, the union leadership informed members that it would take longer to have these 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 midnite oils). Therefore there was no cause to worry 4. Face book account: it was noted by members that there were many such accountsKMPDU original, welfare, official among others. While the process of porting guys from the 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 vetting tedious. The members were urged to be patient and prove they were paid up before they could be added to the group. Similarly, it was noted that the people who are very critical to the union were either student of common mwananchi. Therefore it was agreed that ONLY paid up members would be included. It was noted that there were many 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 responses and reactions can be obtained in real time unlike emails. More than 75% of all email provide during the registration were defective due to error in writing. Therefore while it is the desire of the Union to deliver personalized email to each member, this was not possible for now.

It was also emphasized that the Union leadership stood for democracy and no members posts were deleted. The hitch noted was something to do with the face book itself. 1. Communication: the members present expressed a need to have the county offices strengthened and empowered to handle local membership issues. As such some communication was to happen through these offices. The elected officials must know their people and account for them at all times. Similarly, it was noted that majority of the consultants are not on the social media hence reaching them is hard. An innovative way was to be explored to communicate with these consultants since they are integral to the Union. The Union stands for all doctors from the consultants, to registrars, to MOs, interns and to some extent the medical students. 2. Course of action, making adequate preparation: The recent strike collapsed due to technicalities explained in another forums. Therefore the members present wanted to know if the union was making adequate preparation incase industrial action becomes the only language to communicate. These includes, having a lawyer with experience in labor laws, empowering members to remain firm, proper communication, unions financial ability to hire legal team. The members conceded that at the moment the issues that were being cited as weaknesses in the last strike still exist and must be solved so as to move forward. 3. 9. Other responses from the NEC a) Check off: this was to be effected to ensure that the union has a financial muscle to tackle the employers. Therefore plans were underway to have embers commit to support 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 writing were not offering tangible solutions. c) Communication: regular communication will be provided through the official face book page. All discussions taking place there shall inform the leadership when making critical decisions d) BELINDER KAMAR: this is an industrial lawyer who came in for offer advice. She encourages members to participate in shaping the agenda for the Union. She encourages members to deal with negative politics in a mature manner, hold regular strategic sessions, involve members in decision making, and looking at both sides of the coin. 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 build on 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 to achieve the ultimate goal of Emancipating the Kenyan Doctor, Dentist and Pharmacist. 10. Adjournment: there being no other business, the Kamukunji was adjourned at 6pm.

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