Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka has appealed to the striking doctors and Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union to prioritise emergencies amid the ongoing strike.
In his Easter message, Lusaka expressed concerns over the ongoing strike, imploring medics to demonstrate patriotism to prevent the loss of lives.
"Doctors are bound by an oath to protect lives. I urge you to uphold patriotism amid challenges,” he pleaded
Lusaka observed that doctors play an essential role in the lives of many.
“Downing of tools is detrimental to the lives Kenyan lives,” he said further, affirming his optimism in the negotiations between the doctors and the Ministry of Health.
The woes facing the country’s health sector deepened after Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) announced a nationwide strike effective Sunday midnight.
The union has issued six demands to the government.
Clinical officers have since joined the ongoing doctors’ strike that has been running since March 15.
KUCO chairman Peter Wachira declared that all legal mechanisms to address their concerns had been exhausted.
“The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers regrets to inform the public of the imminent commencement of a national strike starting on April 1st, 2024,” a statement by Secretary General George Gibore reads.
Gibore argued that the issues raised could be solved in a week if the government paid enough attention.
The union wants clinical officers to be confirmed as permanent staff with pensions.
KUCO wants the prolonged negotiations on its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to conclude. The talks have stalled since 2017.
The union also wants a clear career progression for its members, arguing that some Clinical officers have not been promoted since 2013.
Clerics in Kiambu County have called on President William Ruto to intervene and solve the ongoing doctors’ strike.
The clerics under the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) said the strike has disrupted operations in key public hospitals as the stalemate with the government persists.
Talks to end the strike hit a snag on Wednesday after the government side led by Deputy Chief of Staff and Deputy Head of Public Service Josphat Nanok refused to engage the striking medics any longer until they called off their work boycott.
Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union on the other hand through Secretary General Davji Atella insisted the strike would go on.
