•According to Koseki, the Whole of the Nation Approach Committee spearheading mediation talks identified 19 issues raised by the striking doctors
•He said the mediation committee classified and prioritised each issue and assigned responsibility to each tier of government
Image: KEITH MUSEKE
Doctors have rejected the government offer which aims to end the strike stalemate.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union chairperson Abi Mwachi has maintained that the government must honour the 2017-21 Collective Bargaining Agreement in totality.
This comes hours after Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the government has secured Sh2.4 billion to facilitate the immediate deployment and posting of the 2023-24 cohort of medical student interns.
Koskei said the deployment of intern doctors will begin on Thursday and called on the union to suspend their strike amid ongoing mediation to resolve the remaining issues.
However, Mwachi said they were not ready to take the government offer adding that the doctors in 2017 ended their strike based on promises which have never been met.
He said the release of the Sh2.4 billion is meant to cement what he termed as illegal salary cuts for junior doctors.
"Respectfully, we decline these proposals in total. We believe that genuine governments should honour their Collective Bargaining Agreements," Mwachi said.
"The doctors of this country did nothing but believe in the promise of their government in 2017 where we ended a 100-day strike for the price of a promissory note. It is time to honour that promise. Respectfully."
Commenting on the same, KMPDU SG Davji Atellah said the move by the government to release the funds will not deter their push to have the issues raised addressed.
Koskei in a statement released on Monday said the resolution was arrived at during two conciliatory meetings held on March 21, 2024 and subsequently on March 27, 2024, as ordered by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
The posting of medical interns was one of the pertinent issues the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union was pushing for when they went on strike on March 14.
According to Koseki, the Whole of the Nation Approach Committee, spearheading mediation talks identified 19 issues raised by the striking doctors.
He said the mediation committee classified and prioritised each issue and assigned responsibility to each tier of government.
He said the national government will also provide grants and scholarships for eligible postgraduate medical officers.
“We are aware that county governments are at various stages of addressing the issues raised in respect to their counties,” he said.
In a rejoinder, Atellah said: "We refuse and with unwavering determination, our resolve surges."
United in purpose, our strike gains momentum, intensifying tenfold as we advance towards a healthcare system rooted in fairness and justice."
The Chief of Staff assured the commitment of all actors to the conciliation process saying both levels of government, state agencies and stakeholders remain committed towards constructive dialogue, addressing concerns and ensuring the health and well-being of all Kenyans.