The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Director General Davji Atellah on Monday raised questions over the recruitment of doctors in Nairobi County.
In a statement, Atellah called upon Governor Johnson Sakaja to resolve the matter or else he would call for a county-wide strike.
Atellah revealed that the union had gone to court to resolve the matter but a strike would end the mess in Nairobi and other counties completely.
The SG also disclosed that drastic measures would be taken due to what he described as the unprofessional manner the county government was treating employed doctors.
He explained that after consultation with the doctors, it emerged that the county government fired them and advertised their jobs, requesting them to reapply.
According to the affected doctors, the decision to fire them was abrupt, throwing them in limbo.
"Our young colleagues are faced with precarity brought about by job insecurity after the County decided not to continue engaging them after February, instead choosing to advertise their positions and asking them to reapply and face fresh interviews," Atellah remarked in a statement.
Additionally, Atellah revealed that doctors who opted to reapply for jobs were asked to offer bribes among other favours to secure employment.
The SG further noted that this was a violation of power, demanding Governor Sakaja to act promptly before matters escalated.
He pointed out the Nairobi County Government was subjecting the doctors to unfair labour practices including, failure to remit third-party deductions, double taxation of clinics owned and run by doctors, and locums being taxed PAYE among other violations.
"This is the reason why last evening a collective and resounding resolution was made by all in attendance to “ STRIKE HARD! We shall shut down all health services in this city if the employers want to treat doctors like slaves as they profit from their sweat and blood," he stated.
The Secretary-General emphasised that doctors provide essential services to Kenyans and should not beg for decent working conditions and remuneration.
He conclusively, called upon all union members to unite and fight for their fundamental human and labour rights.
