University of Nairobi doctors blame Vice Chancellor Kiama for ongoing strike

Striking doctors at the University of Nairobi blame Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama for the ongoing industrial action involving University lecturers at the school of health sciences.

While the fate of final year students at the medical school who were meant to graduate this year now remains in limbo, several unions ranging from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) want the VC to be forced out of office for failing to honour the agreement reached over the doctors’ clinical allowances.

Medical students at the university were meant to undertake their rotational exams this week but have not been able to do so as a result of the discord between the university administration and the doctors.

The union’s accuse Prof Kiama of sabotaging the institution adding that he is not willing to engage in talks with the lecturers or even the students.

The said clinical allowances are paid to medical tutors to guide medical students in hands-on clinical sessions.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union Chairman Samuel Oroko blamed Prof. Kiama for the crisis, accusing him of disorganizing operations of the College of Health Sciences at the University.

“As we all know, KMPDU negotiated for these monies. we went through difficult times, we went through fire, jail and some of us lost their lives. For the sub-normal head of the university who fought his way to get into office to come and try to disorganise operations at the college of health sciences is unacceptable,” said Oroko.