Doctors union officials have been sentenced to one month in jail by the Labour Court, in the wake of the ongoing doctors’ strike. The strike which has lasted two months so far has led to a notable negative effect in the health sector, with the government failing to find an amicable solution to the strike.
The doctors had been given a time frame to call off the strike, or risk being sentenced to jail. COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli had earlier on intervened, urging the court to give the doctors’ and other stakeholders more time to find a solution. Among the involved parties in the negotiations were KNCHR, and the office of the Attorney General.
Francis Atwoli had said a lack of agreement between Health CS Cleopa Mailu and PS Nicholas Muraguri is an impediment to the negotiations and attempts to strike a deal with the medics.
Judge Hellen Wasilwa insisted during her ruling that the officials will serve their one-month jail term after contempt of court. She said she gave conditions which have not been met.
