Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has directed security agencies to use all lawful means and resources available to prevent any disruption of health service delivery.
In a press statement from the Interior Ministry, CS Kindiki termed the ongoing strike by health workers unlawful.
“On April 3, 2024, the Employment and Labour Relations Court in ELRCPET/E032/2024, Kenyatta National Hospital vs Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists & Dentists Union (KMPDU) and 3 others ordered the parties in the ongoing industrial dispute in the health sector to engage in conciliation and negotiation proceedings within 14 days and thereafter file in court a memorandum of understanding on minimum service guarantees in public health institutions,” read the statement in part.
Through the statement, the Interior CS accused striking medics of defying court orders and also threatening other health workers who have opted not to participate in the industrial strike which is now on its 26th day.
“The participants in this unlawful industrial action have repeatedly threatened to disrupt service delivery in health institutions, to interfere with the daily activities of the non-participating health workers and to undermine public order generally,” read the statement from the Interior CS.
“In response to the unlawful demonstrations called by health care providers in the country, security agencies have been directed to use all the lawful means and resources available to prevent any disruption of services and protect wananchi and practitioners who have resumed their duties as ordered by the court,” added the statement
The statement comes just days after medical professionals called on President William Ruto’s intervention to solve the crisis.
The medics have raised 19 grievances with the top most being the immediate posting of medical interns and the settlement of salary arrears per the collective bargaining agreement.
