MPs irked as govt officials and governors boycott health crisis meeting

Members of parliament were disappointed by the decision of top government officials and governors to boycott a meeting scheduled for Friday to solve the prolonged health crisis.

The MPs, who are members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, had summoned top government officials, the governor's council and officials of the medics' union. 

However, Cabinet Secretaries Susan Nakhumicha ( Health), Florence Bore (Labour), Njuguna Ndung'u (National Treasury) and Moses Kuria (Public Service Commission) gave the meeting a wide berth.

The Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru and officials of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) also skipped the meeting planned to be held at the Mini Chamber, County Hall within Parliament Buildings. 

Only Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) officials honoured the meeting.

Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino advised the committee against entertaining contempt from the top government officials who skip summons and meetings upon invitation.

"We're being shown contempt. We cannot continue to entertain such acts. The Treasury must tell us where the money is. This meeting cannot continue and we want them summoned," said Owino.

The MP warned the missing officials against playing politics when the country is facing a serious health crisis. 

"Let us summon all of them to be here within seven days and they should be arrested if they fail to appear,” Owino added.

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, who was present at the meeting, accused the absent officials of contributing to worsening the health situation.

Seme MP James Nyikal further emphasised that the officials were not invited to the meeting but were summoned according to Parliament’s Standing Orders, which must be adhered to. 

"The time for standing our ground has to come. It is not possible for us to continue with this seating arrangement in the absence of the Council of Governors, Treasury, CS Health, and CS Treasury," Nyikal insisted. 

A street vendor carries flags as he joins doctors and medical practitioners under the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) in a demonstration April 16, 2024, for key health sector reforms. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna wondered how he would lobby for additional resources for governors who continue to skip crucial meetings.

"How am I going to argue for extra resources for Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga Governor) yet she has no respect for me? I saw a CS speaking on taxpayers’ money as if it were his. We have the power to allocate that money elsewhere as we please," Sifuna warned. 

Consequently, the committee warned it would officially summon Anne Waiguru, CoG Health Committee chair Muthomi Njuki, CS Susan Nakhumicha, and her Labour counterpart Florence Bore. 

Also wanted by the committee for appearances are Public Service Commission Chairperson Amb. Anthony Muchiri and Salaries and Remuneration Commission Chairperson Lynn Mengich.

Doctors commenced their nationwide strike on March 15, 2024, demanding higher pay, improved working conditions, internship postings for medical graduates and fulfilment of the collective bargaining agreement that followed a 100-day strike in 2017.

The national and county governments, however, threatened to fire and replace all striking doctors after they declined to end their nationwide strike. 

On Monday, Health CS Nakhumicha, CoG chair Waiguru, and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei directed their lawyers to head to court to seek clearance to have the striking medics fired.

"We want a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated because doctors are not acting in good faith," said Waiguru, the governor of Kirinyaga County.

She described the doctors' moves as "arm-twisting tactics" to force county and national government officials to give in to their demands.

"We want doctors to go back to work within 24 hours or the parties here will be at liberty to take any action they deem fit," the CoG chair added.