- Mwaura reaffirmed government's stance of paying intern doctors Sh70,000 saying the Sh206,000 they are demanding is unsustainable.
- The doctors have remained adamant that their delayed 2017 CBA must be implemented fully and talks for a new one initiated before they resume work.
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGÁ
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has said the government will not engage doctors until they suspend the ongoing strike.
In a statement on Saturday, Mwaura reaffirmed government's stance of paying intern doctors Sh70,000 saying the Sh206,000 they are demanding is unsustainable.
He drew parallels with interns in the Public Service Commission who he said earn Sh25,000.
"One of the things that the government cannot back down on is the issue of paying interns Sh206,000, it is unsustainable, there is no profession that is more important than another," he said.
"Lawyers who also sit five or six years in class are paid only Sh15,000 during pupillage. You are paid Sh70,000, three times more than the others who have also gone to school and have the same grade as you."
The spokesman said the government has fulfilled most of their demands.
He said the government will nonetheless continue to find solutions, but we will not engage with the doctors until they suspend the strike.
"I will leave it to their conscience because if they want their fellow Kenyans to die because they want to get more money is quite inhumane," he said.
Mwaura said it is unfair for the doctors to demand such an amount of money from the government.
The doctors have remained adamant that their delayed 2017 CBA must be implemented fully and talks for a new one initiated before they resume work.
The doctors signed the contentious CBA with the Ministry of Health on June 30, 2017 and with county governments on July 6, 2017 after being on strike for a record 100 days.
According to the CBA, the lowest-paid doctor (intern) should take home about Sh212,000 inclusive of all allowances, every month.
The highest-paid consultant are to pocket about Sh814,000 per month.
The CBA also outlines details on promotion schemes for doctors, including scholarships for further studies full-time, while on full salary.
The doctors who have been on strike for a month now since March 14 are also demanding for a comprehensive medical cover.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the country is running under a very tight budget as the economic situation is very dire.
He urged the striking doctors to accept what the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has offered them.
"The government has got no money, there is no money that we can pay Sh206,000 per intern. Let them earn Sh70,000 and we are urging them that that is what they should take," the head of the public service said.