The Court of Appeal has released the jailed doctors union officials, paving way for negotiations led by the Law Society of Kenya and KNCHR, to be completed. The seven KMPDU officials had been sentenced to a month in jail for contempt of court on Monday by Judge Hellen Wasilwa. The ongoing doctors’ strike has lasted more than 70 days, and private health sector had joined the strike, with Nairobi Hospital and Mater withdrawing their services.
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who had tried to lead the negotiations after a timeline was set by the court for the same, had indicated that miscommunication between Health CS Cleopa Mailu and PS Nicholas Muraguri had strained the negotiations. The progress of the perceived negotiation couldn’t be justified before Judge Hellen Wasilwa on Monday who proceeded with her verdict
CORD leader Raila Odinga, who was present at the Court of Appeal criticized the failure of the government to sort out the issues pertaining the strike, “The labour relationship is very important this government has failed the nation in that,” he said, “We need to have a change of government.” He noted that it’s puzzling that President Uhuru Kenyatta has not stepped up and talked about the issue. Also present were Philip Murgor, James Orengo and Mutula Kilonzo Jr, who were the lawyers representing the doctors.
