Talks led by Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli to end the doctors' strike have failed to yield a resolution.
Two weeks ago, Atwoli offered to facilitate negotiations, along with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), between the government and union officials. According to sources who spoke to People Daily, the doctors remain committed to implementing the 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), while the government is pushing for a new agreement.
Atwoli has alleged that infighting between Health Permanent Secretary Nicholas Muraguri and his boss, Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu, is hindering progress. He has called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene, stating,
Instead of leading in dialogue to end the doctors' strike, the Principal Secretary is in Nyeri wooing people to register as voters.
Atwoli also criticized some senior doctors, claiming they are frustrating efforts to end the strike due to personal interests. He further alleged that some clinic owners are profiting from the strike, taking advantage of poor Kenyans.
The President had reportedly given Atwoli an additional 500 million to add to the 40 percent increase previously offered, but the doctors rejected this proposal. Atwoli stated,
If the strike had genuine grievances, two days of dialogue would have ended it.
Atwoli made these remarks at Mukuyuni Catholic Church during a fundraising event, where he was accompanied by former Kaiti MP Gideon Ndambuki.
The recovered account cited reporting by Mediamax.
