The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) on Monday directed all private and faith-based health facilities to halt operations from midnight.
The Association made the decision to show solidarity with officials of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Unions (KMPDU) who were jailed earlier on Monday.
KMA further directed that specialist doctors withdraw their services from all hospitals for 24 hours.
“Doctors in private and faith-based organisations have resolved to join the family in the struggle for better H/care for all. Specialist doctors are going to withdraw their services from all hospitals for 24 hours," the doctors stated.
The medical practitioners also resolved to hold a night vigil for 30 days at Industrial Area and Langata Prisons to express their solidarity with the jailed officials.
The doctors maintained that they would continue agitating for implementation of the disputed CBA adding that they would not hold any negotiations until their leaders are freed.
“The 30 days will come and go but doctors in Kenya will not go back to work until their labour dispute is solved," they affirmed.
Seven KMPDU officials were sentenced to one month in prison by Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa for failing to reach an agreement and call off the doctors strike within the granted period.
Wasilwa effected the one-month jail term after suspending it on two previous occasions to allow the doctors’ union officials continue with negotiations.
The Judge observed that with failed attempts to resolve the doctors’ strike and some parties withdrawing from the negotiating table, the court had no option but to effect the jail term.
The jailed officials include Chairman Samuel Oroko, Secretary-General Ouma Oluga, Daisy Korir, Evelyne Chege, Allan Ochanji, Mwachonda Chibandzi and Titus Ondoro.
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