Court blocks doctors’ strike

By Isaiah Lucheli

The Industrial Court has barred the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPPDU) members from proceeding on strike.

Industrial Court judge Stephen Radido issued the order after the state went to court seeking to stop the strike on the grounds that the doctors offered basic and vital services and their strike would have a devastating effect on medical services.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) argued that the medics strike was illegal as it had failed to conform to the labour laws.

In a certificate of urgency the state sought the strike to be called off until the application is heard and determined.

DPP argued that the strike was uncalled for as the government had already started implementing the return to work formula that the union and the state had agreed last year following another strike.

The government claimed that the claims that it had failed to implement the recommendations reached last year was not true.

The government had last year entered into an agreement with the striking doctors on a return to work formula in which the government was to address several issues including salaries, promotions and trainings.

The court directed that DPP serves the union and added that the matter would be heard today at 11 AM.