Labour CS urges doctors to end strike and give dialogue a chance

Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore has urged the Ministry of Health and doctors to engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing nationwide strike.

Bore, on Friday, emphasised the need for all parties to follow the law and prioritise dialogue to end the stalemate for the benefit of Kenyans.

"This matter has received attention at the highest level and we should have faith in each other to resolve the matter once and for all. Once more, I appeal to the doctors, clinical officers, and laboratory technicians to give dialogue a chance," she said in a statement.

The CS added that, according to the Labour Relations Act of 2007, parties can resolve disagreements through a dispute resolution process.

Bore also urged doctors to stop the strike and participate in negotiations with the Ministry of Health and county governments.

She reminded the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) of the limitations on the right to strike, as defined by law, and urged them to comply with court orders.

"Parties must sit and dialogue in good faith. As a ministry, our role is to facilitate social dialogue and respect for the rule of law," she emphasised. 

"We stand firm in defending parties' right to freedom of association and expression, which is enshrined in the Constitution but also the country's commitment to international instruments, which Kenya has signed and is a party to," Bore added. 

Doctors strike at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo: Courtesy)

Additionally, the CS recommended that KMPDU guide its members to return to work, which she believes will set the stage for constructive discussions to find a lasting solution.

"The resolution of this dispute and a lasting solution can only be found through social dialogue," Bore noted.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga and a section of the clergy urged the government on Thursday to take steps to end the doctors' strike that has gone on for a month.

Raila proposed that the Ministry of Health reinstate the Ksh206,000 salary for intern doctors, offer medics long-term contracts and pay fees for public doctors pursuing further studies. 

On the same day, the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) issued an ultimatum, warning that private doctors would withdraw their services in seven days in support of their colleagues. 

However, the government has insisted it lacks funds and wants doctors to end their strike as negotiations continue. On Sunday, April 7, 2024, President William Ruto asked striking doctors to resume work and accept the government’s offer to hire intern doctors with Sh70,000 monthly salaries. 

Ruto emphasised that doctors need to realise that the country doesn't have the resources to raise wages for its workers.

He stressed that counties must also manage wage bills within their available resources instead of borrowing to pay wages.