Kenya Doctors’ Union Leaders have been sentenced to  one month jail  over refusing to end  doctor’s strike (Contempt of court)  as directed by Justice Helen Wasilwa. The Doctors had gone strike over CBA row with the ministry of Health.

 

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU)  had called for a strike early December 2016 asking for the government to fully implement a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) they had signed. In the CBA, the doctors are asking for a pay raise, review of working conditions and promotions criteria, and hiring of more staff.

 

1st December 2016, the doctors were asked to call off the strike and engage in negotiations which they denied thus giving rise to a contempt of court. Judge Wasilwa ruled that the doctors be sentenced to jail for one month.

 

However, COTU secretary-general Francis Atwoli appeared in court and pleaded with the Judge not to sentence the union leaders to give room for further negotiations. His plea was heard and the doctors were given seven days to negotiate but the negotiations failed again.

 

COTU secretary-general Francis Atwoli blamed the infighting in the ministry of education for the failure to solve the Doctor’s crisis which has lasted for more than two months. Atwoli also blamed the doctor’s union for the CBA hard stance.

 

 

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Do not miss our next comprehensive update on why the doctors were jailed and Justice Helen Wasilwa‘s complete ruling!