In what could cripple the health sector and bring misery to many Kenyans, Doctors have issued fresh threats to go on strike, accusing the county governments of not honouring a deal with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
The return-to-work deal that ended the100-day doctors' strike (the longest in Kenya's history) was signed after numerous failed negotiation attempts led by various bodies including Religious leaders and Central Organizaion of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary general Francis Atwoli.
KMPDU boss, Ouma Oluga said that none of the promises agreed upon in the return-to-work formula had been implemented despite a directive by the president that doctors be paid for the duration that they were on strike.
Most governors had opposed this stating that doctors should not be paid as they did not report to work during the strike.
"We won't work without pay, so if anyone wants to replay the 100 days of the doctors strike, we won't hesitate to give them another 200," said Oluga.
The threats come a week after Meru Governor and Council of Governors' chair, Peter Munya said that the doctors had not been paid because the National Treasury had not availed funds.
Ouma added that some National and County Government officials were still victimising doctors against the advice of the Labour Ministry.
He lamented that doctors had not received four to five months' salary, making it impossible for them to afford basic needs.
Under the return-to-work deal, doctors were to be placed in appropriate job groups. This has not been done and the timelines have passed.
With memories of the 100-day doctors' strike fresh in the minds of many Kenyans, the public will keenly follow hoping that the issues raised will be addressed to avoid another strike.
