This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
Published on August 16, 2019, a court in Kenya has allowed a doctors' union to file judicial review proceedings against Laikipia county government's decision to sack 62 doctors who participated in a strike in June.
Employment and Labour Relations Court judge Nzioki wa Makau directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to serve the devolved unit and County Public Service Board (CPSB) within 21 days.
According to the court ruling, doctors who are already back to work should continue executing their duties while those who are away should not return to work.
“The court is minded that positions previously held by the doctors are in the process of being filled. It also notes some of the doctors have been appointed to their positions. Let status quo apply to the applicants before court pending hearing and determination of the judicial review,” Justice Makau ruled.
Laikipia County Secretary Karanja Njora, however, denied the allegations, stating that the doctors were lawfully and fairly terminated for gross misconduct for absenting themselves from their workplaces during working hours.
The case will be mentioned on September 23.
