Economy not stable enough to meet striking doctors' demands-Kimani Ichung'wah

Ichung'wah spoke in Nyeri on Sunday while he represented the President and his deputy at a church Harambee,  where he said the prolonged strike means suffering for common Mwananchi. 

He urged doctors to understand that the country's economy is not yet stable enough to meet their demands fully.

His sentiments were echoed by Nyeri town MP Duncan Mathenge, who said the suffering by Kenyans especially in the village is immense. He called on the doctors to consider talks. 

Earlier, President Ruto waded into discussions around the doctors' strike, saying the demands by the healthcare workers are not feasible as the country is already grappling with a huge wage bill. 

“We mind them (doctors), we value the service they give to the nation, but we must live within our means. The resources we have are only sufficient to pay Ksh.70,000 for intern doctors. It is not a salary, it is only a stipend for one year then they will be employed,” the Head of State said on Sunday. 

Last week the government made a Ksh.2.4 billion offer to doctors which was set to help iron out the ongoing standoff and allow for the posting of all eligible medical student interns.

The doctors rejected the offer as KMPDU Chairman Abi Mwachi and Secretary General Davji Atellah argued that it has not fully honored the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

SG Atellah has announced that the strike will continue, with a march on Tuesday, April 9. This will mark the 4th week since doctors downed tools on March 14.