By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on the government and the striking doctors to embrace dialogue.
Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, the ODM leader said it is only through dialogue that issues being raised can be addressed.
Raila further insists the talks must happen as soon as possible and a solution reached to address the challenges Kenyans are facing in accessing health services.
“We are of the view that the situation is moving from bad to worse, and soon, we will have a full-blown crisis in which all health workers will down their tools. Already, clinical officers have joined,” Raila warned.
“After very wide consultations, I am convinced that the doctors and all other health workers currently on strike will be able to craft a return-to-work formula and resume duty if the government were to meet their demands halfway while negotiations continue,” he added.
Doctors have been on strike for the last three weeks.
They are demanding the implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement that contains a controversial provision on hefty salaries for medical interns.
The CBA set the salary of the interns at over Ksh206,000.
However, the current administration says it cannot sustain the salary provided by the CBA. Instead, it has offered to pay Ksh70,000.
President William Ruto on Sunday asked the striking doctors to accept the offer which he noted was within the country’s means.
Doctors have however rejected Ruto’s plea and insisted that they deserve all that is contained in the 2017 CBA.
The strike has affected service delivery in several public health facilities.
But as the impact of the strike continues to be felt, some devolved units have threatened to sack the medics participating in the industrial action.
Others have also ordered that the salaries for this month be withheld until they return to work.
