Legal threats, hardline stances mark Day 32 of Doctors' Strike

On Sunday, the Ministry of Health gave intern doctors 14 days to return to their duty stations, as announced by Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai.

However, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) dug their heels further into the ground on the matter. 

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome is facing a possible lawsuit over comments he made about the doctors' strike, which has drawn the attention of the Law Society of Kenya and other civil society organisations.

As the standoff between doctors and the government spills into a second month, both sides show no signs of ceding ground.

 Kimtai stated, "If you are a parent who has taken your child to study to be a doctor, let them know we expect them to report back to their assigned stations in 14 days. 

If not, that is an individual who is no longer interested in continuing their studies in medicine."

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah responded to the situation by highlighting the demands related to the pay and posting of medical interns during the ongoing strike. 

In 2017, KMPDU signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requiring interns to be paid Sh206,000 per month in salaries and allowances.

However, the Kenya Kwanza government offered a Sh70,000 monthly stipend that the Union rejected.

Speaking in Chuka on Sunday, Council of Governors health committee chairperson Governor Muthomi Njuki emphasised the need to renegotiate the 2017 CBA and warned striking doctors that action would be taken after the courts declared the strike illegal.

"There was a court order, so for the doctors in Tharaka Nithi, if you are not back to work by tomorrow, Monday, then I have no choice but to replace you." He said. 

Ndindi Nyoro, National Assembly Budget Committee chairperson, appealed to striking doctors to return to work while negotiations continue. 

He acknowledged their grievances but emphasized the country's challenging situation.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome's remarks were less conciliatory as he addressed the striking doctors, terming them a "public nuisance" and cautioning them "to refrain from infringing on the rights of others while demonstrating."

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah criticized the IG's threats, stating they undermined the doctors' right to demonstrate and present their petitions.

Additionally, the Law Society of Kenya, Katiba Institute, Kenya Human Rights Commission, and other CSOs demanded that IG Koome apologize and withdraw his remarks by 6 pm Sunday.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo warned that "should any unreasonable use of force be meted against doctors," the lawyers' body would take legal action to hold the Inspector General personally liable.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers condemned the IG's comments and urged the Council of Governors to expedite collective bargaining agreement negotiations for clinical officers.

For now, the wards in public health facilities will remain empty as medics continue to fill the streets.