10 doctors from four hospitals report to work

Nairobi County Executive of health Bernard Muia. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Dr Muia said they will be paid salaries backdated to January this year and will not be victimized.
  • President Uhuru Kenyatta said those who fail to go back to work will be sacked.

Doctors in Nairobi County have resumed work but fear for their lives, City Hall has said.

The 10 doctors working in Mama Lucy, Pumwani, Mutuini and Mbagathi hospitals have reported to their work stations.

Dr Bernard Muia, the county health executive, said that security in hospitals has been scaled up.

"Doctors want to serve Kenyans but the threats they are receiving from the union through social media and [phone] calls is causing panic," he said.

Dr Muia said they expect more doctors to resume their duties, particularly after President Uhuru Kenyatta said those who fail to do so will be sacked.

The President was speaking in Lodwar, Turkana, on Wednesday where he said the strike must be called off.

"If you don’t go to work you will go home and we will employ other doctors," he warned.

Dr Muia added that they will also be paid salaries backdated to January this year and will not be victimized.

"We will not allow doctors who will be working to be assaulted. We will provide enough security both in the hospitals and homes if need be," he said.

In Nairobi 124 doctors participated in the nationwide strike and 54 did not.

Governor Evans Kidero in a recent interview said termination letters had been written.

Last year City Hall wrote to the doctors on strike to explain why they should not be fired.