Governor Sakaja issue dismissal threat to striking Nairobi doctors if they don’t report back to work
Doctors working for Nairobi City County hospitals have twelve hours to report back to work or face the sack.
Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja made the threatening demand even as the country’s healthcare crisis morphed into a full-blown nightmare as doctors boycotted work over remuneration demands and employment of graduate intern doctors.
Sakaja said it was unfortunate for patients in the various hospitals to continue suffering while the issues leading to the strike were supposed to be addressed by the national government.
He said after the lapse of the ultimatum, those who will not have reported back will be sacked.
“I would like to doctors in Nairobi that there are different ways they can show solidarity with their colleagues striking over the issues to be sorted by the national government without endangering the lives of Nairobians.” He said.
“Those who will not report to work will have shown they are no longer interested in working for Nairobi and we will exercise our constitutional mandate of employing other doctors.” He added.
According to Sakaja, the key issues raised by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union (KMPDU) which include posting of medical interns and insurance have nothing to do with counties.
He acknowledged that Nairobians have been greatly affected by the ongoing strike and the matter needs an urgent address.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Bhimji called for the strike that saw 4,000 doctors down their tools despite a court order asking the union to halt the strike to allow talks with the government.
Justice Byram Ongaya yesterday set April 3, 2024, for the recording of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the compromise that will be reached at the meeting and issuance of further directives.
The judge said the doctors’ strike notice dated March 6 remains suspended to pave the way for negotiations and the ongoing conciliation process.
