DOCTOR’S STRIKE STAND OFF

The talks between Doctors and the Government hit a dead end after claims that the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacist and Dentist Union failed to show up in a row to sign the return to work formula.

With this being the fourth meeting that has failed, the council of Governors through it’s chair Ann Waiguru who threatened to take necessary action at the County level to ensure that health services are not disrupted.

At the onset of the continued strike by KMPDU, 19 issues were put on the table by Doctors Union, key among the 19 being payment of Medical interest and the implementation of the 2017 CBA and of Monday, the head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced that Doctors and the Government agreed to begin the release of basic salary arrears to be paid in 5 installments as per agreement.

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has revealed that so far 18 issues have been resolved except the remuneration, for instance, a matter which is still in court, however, the CS has also reiterated that the 70,000 kenyan shillings offer is still available and will be renegotiated after June of 2024.

KMPDU in a rejoinder to its grant says that they will not be deterred and neither will they back down unless the main issue of contention is addressed.

The Government had given the Unions time to talk to their members regarding the signing of the return to work formula after a series of meeting with the union on Sunday, the deal was later pushed to Tuesday after they failed to show up on Monday