×
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
  • Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
  • The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
  • P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
  • Email: [email protected]

Doctors' strike goes on despite court order

 Kenya Union of Nurses (Meru branch) officials on April 27, 2016, while announcing a notice to go on strike from May 9. PHOTOS: PETER MUTHOMI/STANDARD

Doctors have vowed not to go back to work despite the county government obtaining court orders compelling them to do so.

Yesterday, Harvey Mbithi, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) chairman for Lower Eastern advised patients, especially those in need of theatre and specialised treatment, to seek help elsewhere as none of the 150 doctors would be on duty.

"The public must know there is no treatment in Machakos hospitals especially for theatre cases. When the doctors end the strike, the union will communicate," Dr Mbithi said.

He accused the county government of engaging in politics, saying the county administration acted in bad faith by taking the doctors to court in a bid to coerce them to go back to work.

"We have indicated in the past that the Machakos government is a hostile employer and indeed they have proved to be hostile towards us. When it reaches a point where the employer takes the employee to court, it means the relationship is dead," said Mbithi.

According to him, the county government was escalating the fight to dangerous levels.

"I don't think they can win," he said.

Mbithi said Governor Alfred Mutua had never attended any of the meetings called in the past to resolve the impasse, adding that this failure showed a lack of good faith.

"He needs to meet the doctors. Doctors are not the hooligans he is trying to portray," he stated.

The county government on the other hand was breathing fire, with Health and Emergency Services Chief Officer Collins Sila saying all the doctors would face contempt of court charges for disobeying the order to end the strike.

DISOBEYING ORDERS

"Letters have been dispatched to individual doctors for disobeying orders from a lawful court," Mr Sila said.

He said there would be no more negotiations with the doctors as the county government would pursue the matter in court.

But Mbithi said none of the doctors had received such letters.

"Our meetings are continuing and we will come up with a resolution probably today (yesterday) or tomorrow," he said.

Last week, the county government obtained orders from the Employment and Labour Relations court in Nairobi compelling the doctors to end the strike and go back to work. Justice JN Abuodha had ordered the union members to suspend the strike until both parties were heard on August 30.

Related Topics


.

Trending Now

.

Popular this week