The Kiambu County government has begun sacking striking doctors, accusing them of endangering patients' lives by abandoning their posts.
County Executive Committee Member for Health, Elias Maina, confirmed on Wednesday, May 28, that an undisclosed number of doctors who downed their tools a day earlier had been relieved of their duties. "We have started taking action against doctors who failed to report to work," Maina said. "A headcount is ongoing to establish those who absconded from duty, and they will be replaced immediately with equally qualified professionals." The CEC Member also emphasised that a considerable sum from the Ksh8 billion annual county budget was dedicated to healthcare, adding that investment must be matched by accountability from healthcare workers.
Medical professionals demand higher pay and better working conditions in a past demonstration Photo KMPDU In the build-up to the strike on Tuesday, the Kiambu County government attempted to involve the courts to quell the doctors' industrial action.
The attempt to secure a court order failed, prompting the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to okay the boycott of services in the county.
