NO DEAL YET as talks to end doctors strike take a break

These seems to be no respite in the ongoing talks between government and doctors to end their strike and restore sanity in the health sector, as patients continue to suffer across the country.

Panel of Mediators led by KNCHR is preparing a progress report to be filed in court Wednesday, February 22, with the committee stressing on confidentiality of the talks that are set to resume on Thursday, February 23 2:00 pm.

The mediation panel was constituted last week after the Court of Appeal released seven jailed doctors’ union officials after parties in the case, by consent, agreed to have them released with a view to continue with negotiations.

The parties, who entered the consent before three Appellate Judges; Wanjiru Karanja, Hannah Okwengu and Jamilla Mohamed, are expected in court Wednesday, February 22 with a comprehensive report with a view of calling off the strike.

In their argument, the parties comprising of the Attorney General, doctors’ union and the Council of Governors asked for the release of KMPDU bosses to allow a conclusion of a return to work deal with LSK and KNHCR leading the talks.

The appeal followed a ruling by the Labour and Employment Court Judge, Hellen Wasilwa, that said the KMPDU officials be jailed for one month for contempt of court.

In the ruling, Judge Wasilwa said that the doctors failed to demonstrate to court any new and compelling issue or point out any mistake or error apparent on the record or any sufficient cause that would warrant a review of the court’s order.