The government of Kenya has banned gatherings and protests by striking doctors, terming the ongoing KMPDU industrial action as illegal.
In a statement on Tuesday April 9, 2024, Interior cabinet secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki noted that the participants of the industrial action by health workers continue to defy the court order.
Kindiki explained that striking doctors were also intimidating health workers who are not willing to participate in the unlawful strike.
“The participants in the unlawful industrial action have repeatedly threatened to disrupt service delivery in health institutions, to interfere with the daily activities of the non-participating health workers and to undermine public order generally,” Kindiki noted in a statement.
“Gatherings, protests or whatever other action(s) in pursuit of grievances outside the law and in breach of court directives undermines the constitutional order of the Country and are, therefore, not permissible,” he added.
The Interior CS explained that he had notified law enforcement agencies to ensure strict maintenance of law and order and to protect the general public.
He further noted that the government will provide security for health workers who have chosen to obey the court order by providing services.
His remarks emerged two days after President William Ruto urged KMPDU to suspend the doctors strike and accept the government offer, of paying Ksh70,000 to medical interns.
Speaking on Sunday April 7, 2024 at AIC church in Eldoret, President Ruto maintained that the government has no resources to meet the demands of striking doctors. .
The government of Kenya has banned gatherings and protests by striking doctors, terming the ongoing KMPDU industrial action as illegal.
In a statement on Tuesday April 9, 2024, Interior cabinet secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki noted that the participants of the industrial action by health workers continue to defy the court order.
Kindiki explained that striking doctors were also intimidating health workers who are not willing to participate in the unlawful strike.
“The participants in the unlawful industrial action have repeatedly threatened to disrupt service delivery in health institutions, to interfere with the daily activities of the non-participating health workers and to undermine public order generally,” Kindiki noted in a statement.
“Gatherings, protests or whatever other action(s) in pursuit of grievances outside the law and in
breach of court directives undermines the constitutional order of the Country and are, therefore, not permissible,” he added.
The Interior CS explained that he had notified law enforcement agencies to ensure strict maintenance of law and order and to protect the general public.
He further noted that the government will provide security for health workers who have chosen to obey the court order by providing services.
His remarks emerged two days after President William Ruto urged KMPDU to suspend the doctors strike and accept the government offer, of paying Ksh70,000 to medical interns.
Speaking on Sunday April 7, 2024 at AIC church in Eldoret, President Ruto maintained that the government has no resources to meet the demands of striking doctors.
“We cannot continue to spend the money we don’t have, now I am telling our friends the doctors that we care about them. We value the services they give to our nation but we must live within our means.
“The resources we have are only sufficient to pay Ksh70,000 for medical interns, it’s not a salary, it’s a stipend for only one year then they will be employed,” said President Ruto.
