MP Babu Owino to file impeachment motion against CS Nakhumicha

He claims the motion, which has already received the support of 111 MPs, is based on two grounds: gross violation of the constitution and incompetence. 

According to Owino, the doctors' strike, which began on March 15th, has crippled Kenya's healthcare system and denied scores of citizens their basic right to healthcare. 

"As a result of the doctors' strike, a majority of Kenyans' right to life as well as the right to the highest attainable standard of health has been grossly violated," the notice of motion reads in part. 

"Since the strike began on 15th  March 2024, scores of Kenyans have been unable to access medical care, and in some dire cases, some have even lost their lives."

The Embakasi East Legislator, speaking at a joint press conference with the KMPDU, stated that if the government does not listen to the striking doctors, MPs will join the industrial action. 

"We don't want govt to demand, invite don't demand. When you push, we, KMPDU and MPs will push, when you pull, we'll resist....when you demand we will refuse," the MP said. 

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which has over 7,000 members, went on strike on 15 March to demand salary arrears and the immediate hiring of trainee doctors.

The union stated that the arrears stemmed from a 2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Doctors are also demanding adequate medical insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents.

It also wants the government to address frequent salary delays and begin compensating doctors who work in public hospitals as part of their higher education programmes.

On Tuesday, the government extended an olive branch to the striking healthcare workers, stating that their demands were being addressed by both levels of government. 

The Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, stated that the government was expediting the posting of medical student interns, inviting those eligible to pick up letters beginning Thursday.

Koskei stated that accrued Basic Salary Arrears would be paid in full, and Ksh.2.4 billion had already been disbursed to cover the interns' deployment and posting.

However, KMPDU officials have declined the offer, saying it contradicts the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Both parties now have 14 days to reach an agreement and end the strike which has persisted for the last 21 days. 

Justice Byram Ongaya, while giving out the directions to the parties on Wednesday, said that the strike notice issued earlier staying the ongoing doctors' strike is extended.

In the mention, the court was told that parties have been negotiating with a view of settling contentious issues.

However, the government told the Employment and Labour Relations court that doctors have allegedly declined to call of the strike saying that they may be forced to file an application on contempt.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) told the court that it has complied with the orders issued earlier but said that they are dissatisfied with some. 

"The union has complied with the court orders. That's to say that the directions given by the court have been compiled however...Ratio of doctors to patient is so skewed in that there's no service being offered...." court was told.