Strike that has crippled health sector enters 13th day

From left: Dr Ouma Oluga, the national secretary-general of the Kenya Medical Practitioners', Pharmacists' and Dentists' Union, its national chairman Dr Samuel Oroko, national treasurer Dr Daisy Korir, Nairobi branch secretary Dr Thuranira Kaugiria and other doctors at Africa Inland Church Fellowship in Eldoret on December 11, 2016. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • On Saturday, a meeting called to resolve the stalemate ended in disarray, with doctors accusing the government of lacking the will to honour the collective bargaining agreement.

  • Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Secretary-General Ouma Oluga told the Nation that the strike would go on.

The strike that has crippled health services enters its thirteenth day after talks between doctors, the government and the Council of Governors failed to yield results.

On Saturday, a meeting called to resolve the stalemate ended in disarray, with doctors accusing the government of lacking the will to honour the collective bargaining agreement.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Secretary-General Ouma Oluga told the Nation that the strike would go on.

“There was a stalemate because we took them through the CBA but they did not give us a clear roadmap for implementation,” Dr Oluga said.

On Friday, another meeting between the union, the Ministry of Labour and the Council of Governors ended prematurely when Dr Oluga and his team stormed out, accusing government officials of disrespect.

A statement issued by Labour CS Phylis Kandie, however, blamed the doctors for “bringing strangers to the talks”.

Nurses have resumed duty after their union reached an agreement with the government last weekend.

At the meeting that ended the nurses’ strike, Dr Cleopa Mailu, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, pleaded with the medics to “cushion their expectations with humility and come back to the negotiating table”.

His plea was reinforced by Meru Goveror Peter Munya, the chairman of the Council of Governors.