Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has announced that the government has allocated Ksh6.1 billion to address the demands raised by healthcare workers.
Doctors have been on strike for over a month now demanding that the government meets their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2017.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, April 23, Nakhumicha revealed that despite the impasse being resolved, doctors have continued their strike paralysing healthcare across the country.
The CS noted the government's intention to appeal to the court to review the orders issued as the healthcare workers' strike hits hard.
"We have received Ksh6.1 billion for settlement of the issues raised by the doctors. Follow-up to the doctor’s refusal to call off the strike, we have instructed our counsel to move to court and file the status report as to what we had agreed on and initiated as a return-to-work formula. Equally, we are asking our council to appeal to the court to review the orders that had been issued initially, so that we can take the necessary actions to ensure that Kenyans continue to enjoy healthcare services," she noted.
CS Susan Nakhumicha: The Ministry has received Ksh. 6.1B for settlement of the issues raised by the doctors. Follow-up to the doctor’s refusal to call off the strike, we have instructed our counsel to move to court and file the status report as to what we had agreed on pic.twitter.com/AmFkeMJ1E8
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 23, 2024
No money for doctors
Speaking on the ongoing strike on Sunday, April 7, President William Ruto noted the urgency of addressing Kenya's financial constraints, pointing out that the government currently allocates 47 per cent of its revenue to salaries, significantly exceeding the recommended 35 per cent.
“Our wage bill is 47 per cent of our revenue. It should be 35 per cent according to the law. So we are way above. We need a conversation so that those of us who earn salaries are responsible. And we can reduce our wage bill so that we can free more resources to create jobs for our young people.”
Addressing congregants during a Sunday service at Eldoret AIC Fellowship church, Ruto stressed the need to live within the country's means and urged for responsible spending.
The Head of State acknowledged the concerns brought forth by medical practitioners but emphasized the necessity of living within the country's means.
Despite negotiations between the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), the strike initiated by KUCO remains ongoing, with George Gibore, the union's secretary-general, affirming their commitment to finding a lasting solution.
Ruto appealed to medical professionals to consider the financial constraints, suggesting that the Ksh70,000 stipend offered to interns should suffice as it is not a permanent salary.
He acknowledged the importance of their service but reiterated the need to work within the available resources.
“We mind them (doctors), we value the service they give to the nation, but we must live within our means. The resources we have are only sufficient to pay Ksh70,000 for intern doctors. It is not a salary, it is only a stipend for one year then they will be employed,” he said.
The medical practitioners, however, continue to advocate for increased funding for the healthcare sector, calling for the implementation of CBAs fair treatment for doctors on short-term contracts, and improvements in working conditions.
