Industrial and Labour Court has sentenced seven Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) officials to one month jail term for contempt of court.
While delivering the ruling, Justice Hellen Wasilwa said the doctors’ application has no merit.
This comes after talks to end the doctors’ strike midwifed by Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli failed to resolve the immpasse.
Atwoli offered to lead negotiations, together with Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), between the government and union officials two weeks ago.
Sources hinted to The Informer that the doctors have been adamant on the implementation of the 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) while the government on the other hand has been pushing for a new CBA.
However, Atwoli has alleged infighting between Heath Permanent Secretary Nicholas Muraguri and his boss Cabinet secretary Cleopa Mailu is to blame and called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to address it.
“Instead of leading in dialogue to end the doctors’ strike, the Principal Secretary is in Nyeri wooing people to register as voters,” said Atwoli.
