Doctors given 7 more days to end strike

The Court of Appeal has given seven more days to mediators in the stalemate between the doctors and the government to find a solution on the ongoing doctors’ strike.

The three appellate judges, Hannah Okwengu, Sankale Ole Kantai and Fatuma Sichale, said they are happy with the progress but there’s need to have the matter resolved as soon as possible.

The mediators’ lawyers, led by Senior Counsel James Orengo, said that they have managed to reach consensus on a number of issues, adding that there are still pending issues that they have to be resolved before filing a complete report.

“The days that are suggested have been given by the mediators. They know how parties have conducted themselves in the process. I want to persuade the court to give the mediators the seven days,” Orengo submitted.

The mediators said that an amicable settlement would help not only the parties but also the public. A plea that was opposed by the lawyer representing the Council of Governors, Eunice Lumalas.

“There are several issues pending and two days will be enough for us to conclude the talks,” Lumalas submitted.

Doctors’ union officials who had been committed to a one-month jail term for contempt of court but later freed by the Court of Appeal attended today’s proceedings.

LSK and KNCHR are leading the mediation process.

The matter will be mentioned on the 2nd of March, 2017.