Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has given striking doctors a 12-hour ultimatum to return to work or face disciplinary action.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 20 evening, Governor Sakaja directed the doctors to resume their duties on Thursday morning, threatening to replace those who will not heed to the directive.
“I therefore direct that all doctors working for Nairobi City County Government to resume work in their respective duty stations within 12 hours, failing which disciplinary action will be commenced. Pursuant to this directive, any doctor who does not resume work within the stipulated period shall been deemed to have absconded duty and necessary disciplinary action will be taken,” said Governor Sakaja.
Sakaja gave this directive after meting with Nairobi City County Health Sector leadership to discuss the ongoing nationwide strike called by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
“I’m addressing not just the union, I’m addressing the individual doctors in Nairobi who have an individual term of service with the county government that we have hired you to offer a service to our people. Everything you have requested for has been given. No issue with your employer needs a strike, go back to work,” he said.
Doctors across the country downed their tools on March 14, accusing the national and county governments of failing to honour clauses in the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement that was signed after the 100-day strike.
Top among the issues they are demanding is the provision of comprehensive medical cover for doctors and the posting of 1,200 medical interns.
