ODM party leader Raila Odinga has expressed his approval of the resolution reached between the government and medical workers, effectively bringing an end to the 56-day strike.
In a released statement, Odinga empathized with the public’s distress caused by the strike and emphasized the importance of all involved parties upholding their end of the agreement to prevent similar crises from occurring in the future.
“We extend our congratulations to the Kenya Dentists and Medical Practitioners Union for their successful negotiations with the government, culminating in the adoption of the Return to Work Formula today. It is regrettable that this resolution follows a period of anguish and inconvenience for the public, which could have been averted,” Odinga stated.
He underscored the necessity for the government to promptly fulfill its commitments as a demonstration of having learned from past failures in adhering to collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and court directives. Simultaneously, Odinga urged health workers to demonstrate goodwill by honoring their respective obligations outlined in the agreement reached.
“We are vigilant, and any deviation from the terms of today’s agreement will not go unnoticed,” he warned, stressing the importance of accountability.
The strike, which spanned 56 days, was called off by the Kenya Medical Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) following fruitful negotiations with government representatives.
Throughout the strike period, medical professionals had been advocating for the implementation of the 2017-2021 collective bargaining agreement, a demand that has now been addressed through consensus with both national and county administrations.
The government has committed to harmonizing terms of service within a 90-day timeline, aligning with existing legislative frameworks. Additionally, concerning post-graduate courses for doctors, the national government has pledged to expediently reimburse any outstanding costs incurred by government-sponsored registrars from 2018 onwards.
