•According to Nyoro, the country's recurrent expenditure is almost double the development expenditure
•He said even as doctors continue to push for their demands, the country's economy is not able to afford what they might be asking for.
Image: LEAH MUKANGAI
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has called on the striking doctors to resume work even as negotiations to address their grievances continue.
Nyoro, who is also the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly has said even though it is their right to push for better pay but they should consider the interest of patients first.
"I support our doctors in entirety because it is their right but also on the other side as a Kenyan I want to request them very humbly, we support you, even the president supports and respects you," Nyoro said.
"With a lot of respect, I urge you to go back to work, the government is still willing to dialogue, we should continue with the negotiations as Kenyans receive services in our hospitals."
This is even as the strike which started last month stretched into its second month.
According to Nyoro, the country's recurrent expenditure is almost double the development expenditure.
He said even as doctors continue to push for their demands, the country's economy is not able to afford what they might be asking for.
He, however, reaffirmed that what will be agreed upon during the negotiations will be made available to them.
"Our country is in a situation where we cannot afford too much, I didn’t say we won't give them the money, it is their work to negotiate," he said.
"I am asking humbly that they go back to work as we negotiate, if the money is approved we are ready to include the money in the budget for the country to move forward," he added.
Council of Governors Health Committee chairman Muthomi Njuki has maintained that what is contained in the 2017 CBA is not sustainable.
According to Njuki, the CBA which was signed during the election period has proven impossible to implement seven years later.
He said doctors should give the government time to renegotiate the CBA to factor in the current situation.
"When you look at that CBA seven years later it is impossible to implement it unless we stop doing everything else in Kenya that requires money," he said.
"That is why we have said as government the doctors will need to give us time to renegotiate the CBA so that we live within our means," Njuki said.
He said medical interns are currently required to work under a qualified doctor for a period of one year hence are not union members.