CORD supporters in favour of doctors strike – Survey

The striking doctors have more support among supporters of the opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) compared to followers of the ruling Jubilee Coalition.

According to a national survey conducted by Ipsos Synovate Kenya between January 9-26^th, 46 per cent of CORD supporters want the doctors to stay away from work until their 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is fully implemented while only 24 per cent of Jubilee supporters are in favour of the doctors strike.

Nyanza region is leading in support of the medics at 46 per cent followed by Nairobi at 42 per cent.

Jubilee strongholds in Central Kenya and Rift Valley registered the least support for the doctors’ strike at 20 per cent and 28 per cent respectively.

Most Kenyans feel that county governments have mismanaged the health sector, with 64 per cent demanding the transfer of the health docket to the national government.

Persons affected by the ongoing strike are leading the pack in calling for reversion of health services to the national government.

Only 2 per cent of Kenyans don’t care who manages health services in the country.

The survey found high awareness levels of the doctors’ strike among the citizens.

Ninety one per cent of the 2 057 participants in the survey consider the medics strike as the major industrial action affecting the country.

The medics strike enters its 56^th day today, with the doctors’ insisting that they will only go back to work after the government implements the Collective bargaining Agreement they signed in 2013.