This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
Published on July 8, 2019, Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru has stepped in to mediate between the County government and the striking medics in an attempt to break the prevailing stalemate.
According to Senator Kibiru, both parties must drop their hard-line stances before coming to the negotiating table. He emphasized the need for a sober mindset, stating, “I will have to ask the two parties to ensure their minds are sober as they enter the negotiation room since both of them are now tired and willing to come to an amicable settlement,”
Senator Kibiru has been in talks with the striking medics and the county administration separately, and is now fully aware of each party’s expectations. He aims to find a solution through arbitration, which he hopes will be completed by this Wednesday.
However, the medics through their respective trade union’s spokesperson Dr Gor Goody have declined the offer, stating that their grievances had not been addressed. Dr Goody emphasized that the county government is a hostile employer, and that the parchment issues which led the strike had not been addressed.
It is worth noting that the Employment and Labour Relations court declared the strike illegal, and the respective trade unions for the medics said they were not willing to resume duties regardless of the court outcome. The strike came into effect on May 24.
