Doctors' strike threat over pay

 

Kenya medical practitioners, pharmacists and dentists union (KMPDU) secretary general Dr Boniface Chitayi (centre), national Treasurer Dr Wambui Waithaka (right) and chairman Dr Victor Ng'ani during a past press conference. They asked members of the public to make alternative treatment arrangements on August 3 to 6. Photo/File 

By MAUREEN KAKAH 

 

Doctors have threatened to go on strike over delayed July salaries following a move to route their payments through County governments.

They asked members of the public to make alternative treatment arrangements on August 3 to 6.

The doctors said they will abandon work to seek audience with authorities in Nairobi.

They plan to travel to Nairobi on August 5 to seek clarification over an on going confusion over the delay of their July salaries, their union has indicated.

According to the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacist and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) Secretary General, Dr Sultani Matendechero the confusion is due to the government’s bid to hurriedly transfer staff payment of salaries to the county government.

At a press conference on Monday, the union also accused the government of sidelining them in devolution of County governments.

“We want to caution all those players within government that no means shall be spared in defeating the illegal and unconstitutional process they are continuing to roll out with impunity,” said Dr Matendechero.

KMPDU’s chairman Dr Victor Ng’ani added that the union hopes the government will have addressed the salary issue before next week and would only welcome talks of inclusion in County government devolution on provision of health services.