Kalonzo calls for swift resolution of doctors strike, slams gov't for having 'misplaced' priorities

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has castigated the Kenya Kwanza government over its failure to resolve the ongoing nationwide doctors' strike which has seen medics down their tools in protest of unaddressed grievances for over three weeks.

Speaking in Athi River, Machakos County on Friday following a caucus with Wiper leaders, Kalonzo accused President William Ruto's administration of prioritising non-essential agenda, such as the proposal to reintroduce Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions, instead of addressing the medics' go-slow.

Kalonzo further lamented the suffering of Kenyans as a result of what he termed as the government's misplaced priorities.

"We are losing so many Kenyans. Somebody somewhere should have a heart of flesh, not stone. It is not normal for doctors to go on strike. We are urging that this matter be brought to a conclusion to stop the suffering of Kenyans including the doctors themselves," he said.

"Instead of addressing this, the government is looking to appoint Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) to pay back promises made before the polls. Instead of paying doctors, you are offering high salaries to these CASs'; they earn more than MPs."

Kalonzo further asserted that the ongoing back and forth between the State and the medics highlights ineptitude and a lack of professionalism on the government's part.

 "They are not asking for anything out of the ordinary. Even apart from the interns, there are doctors who have graduated and are currently unemployed after several years in school. As of last year, they were more than 4,000," he said.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti echoed similar sentiments, advocating for a joint meeting between the government, medics and the 47 county governments to address the issue amicably to avert the ongoing nationwide health crisis.

Ndeti made the remarks on Friday when she hosted Muslims for an Iftar dinner at the Machakos County Government headquarters.

"Our doctors are on strike. I want to urge the national government to sit down with the medics; our people are suffering. There should be some sort of compromise from these talks. Let us find a middle ground so that we can resolve this issue," she said.