The government has welcomed a decision by the Court of Appeal to release Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) officials who were jailed on Monday.
Through a statement by Spokesman Eric Kiraithe, the government stated that it hoped the setting aside of the jail term would motivate the parties to engage in better negotiations to end the ongoing doctors' strike.
“We welcome the decision to release the union officials from the 30-day jail sentence and hope that it provides the impetus towards more effective negotiations,” read part of the statement.
The government also noted that it was ready to support deliberations into the matter in accordance with the directive of the court that the negotiations be mediated by the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights and the Law Society of Kenya.
“We look forward to a viable way forward being agreed upon and presented to the Kenyan people on 23rd February 2017. The government believes that the pending issues can be resolved within this timeframe,” the spokesman affirmed.
It, however, regretted that the Kenyans had to pay a painful cost since the strike commenced adding that this has been used to apply pressure during the negotiations.
“Kenyan lives have been used as bargaining chips. The suffering and even death of men, women and children has become a means to apply pressure at the negotiating table. This is wrong, its is cruel and does not speak of the hard work, sacrifice and nobility those who pursued medicine embraced at the onset of their careers,” he added.
The government further noted that there were genuine problems in the public health sector but assured that it was working towards solving these issues through upgrading medical equipment and improving access to healthcare facilities.
Read Also: Government to Appeal for Freeing of KMPDU Officials
The court on Wednesday morning ordered the immediate release of the seven KMPDU officials following an appeal by CORD affiliated lawyers led by Senator James Orengo.
According to the ruling, the union officials were freed to allow for further negotiations to end the industrial action which has paralysed the health sector in the country.
Read Also: Court of Appeal Orders Release of Doctors' KMPDU Union Officials
Here is part of the statement:
