The ongoing strike by medical workers in Kenya has escalated tensions, with opposition leaders threatening to join the protest.
Amidst this crisis, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has declared such protests illegal and assured that security agencies will maintain public order, emphasizing that any actions taken outside the law and in violation of court orders will not be tolerated. The opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka have accused the government of failing to address the crisis which has resulted in the deaths of over 500 patients after 27 days of the strike. Musyoka stated that should the strike continue, Kenyans are free to join them, as taking to the streets is the only way to make the government understand their demands.
Eugene Wamalwa urges Kenyans to prepare for potential clashes with the police and the use of tear gas, asserting that if the government chooses to use force against the doctors instead of addressing the root cause of the problem, their coalition is ready to resume protests. The coalition emphasizes the crucial role of healthcare professionals in ensuring the health and well-being of the people. They criticize Kenya Kwanza’s response considering it inadequate and disconnected from the people. During a speech in Nairobi on Tuesday, Azimio leaders appealed to President William Ruto to fulfil his pre-election promise of prioritizing the health sector by allocating sufficient resources to improve working conditions for healthcare professionals.
The hardline positions taken by both sides indicate a grim future for the critical sector, which is on the brink of collapse due to the demands for better pay from clinical officers and laboratory technicians. Earlier, CS Kindiki issued a statement warning against victimizing and threatening medical workers who have chosen to defy the work stoppage. In the face of suspended vital services, suffering and hardship have become prevalent. The striking workers, determined to continue the paralysis in the health sector until the government takes action, have confirmed that they will escalate their boycott and will not back down or be frightened.
The situation at Nairobi’s Mbagathi Hospital was dire for those seeking services with security guards demanding money before medical consultations could take place. At the Kiambu Referral Hospital, the corridors remained deserted for the majority of the day with only a few patients being attended to. The hospital, operating with minimal staff, prioritized emergency cases in their efforts to treat and care for the remaining patients. In Mombasa County, the striking healthcare workers refused to comply with the devolved unit’s order to return to work to address a pediatric pneumonia outbreak.
The ongoing nationwide strike has resulted in some children being admitted to private hospitals as services in public hospitals remain paralyzed. Despite Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s administration pleading with the healthcare workers to end the strike and save lives, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Coast branch secretary Dr Gharib Salim Ali rejected the plea, stating that they were participating in the strike called by their national office.
Are thy gonna be on streets…
Are thy gonna be on streets themselves or mobilize wananchi instead??.hmmh!…Now i realize poverty is power to the elites & thy do it to maintain it that way!