State appeals to doctors to resume negotiations as December strike looms
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
Atellah said the doctors' union now expects the government to fulfil its obligations and implement the agreements as a matter of urgency.
The government has appealed to doctors to return to the negotiating table, noting its willingness to address outstanding issues, as the medical professionals prepare for a nationwide strike on December 1, 2024.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has reiterated that the state is committed to safeguarding the health of Kenyans, despite the ongoing dispute with medical workers.
Keep reading
- Intern doctors urged to return to work with Sh70,000 salary amid strike threats
- Intern doctors directed to stay home as KMPDU fights for unpaid salaries
- Court freezes Moi University bank accounts over Sh53.5 million owed to medics
- KMPDC orders closure of Body by Design following death of patient after surgery
"Even if the matter of the intern doctors is in court, we are willing to negotiate in order to safeguard the health and lives of Kenyans," Mwaura said.
His statement comes as doctors, led by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), prepare to take industrial action in response to the government's failure to implement the return-to-work formula signed on May 8, 2024.
KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah has expressed frustration with the government's inaction over the past seven months.
"The government has had seven months to implement the agreed salary scales but has failed to do so," Atellah said, adding that the union would no longer engage in dialogue under the current circumstances.
"We are saying this without any fear of contradiction that when we call strike, nobody should come to us and sell us the aspect of goodwill or the aspect of negotiation because seven months is far too long for somebody to keep on making promises," he said.
Implement agreements
Atellah said the union now expects the government to fulfil its obligations and implement the agreements as a matter of urgency.
"It will be time to implement the agreements that were signed and adopted as court orders," he stressed.
In anticipation of the strike, Atellah confirmed that doctors from both the public and private sectors would gather for a national delegates conference on November 30, 2024 at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
The primary agenda of the conference is to formally announce the strike action and demand the government honour its commitments.
"We know it will be a sad situation that time but the government is entirely responsible because they are failing to honour agreements and they are failing to honour court orders," Atellah said.
He further warned that the government would be held accountable for any loss of life during the strike.
"The government will equally take the blame for the innocent Kenyans who will lose their lives during our total shutdown that is coming in the month of December,” he said.
Reader comments
Follow Us and Stay Connected!
We'd love for you to join our community and stay updated with our latest stories and updates. Follow us on our social media channels and be part of the conversation!
Let's stay connected and keep the dialogue going!
Latest News For You
