President William Ruto has told off the doctors carrying on their nationwide strike.
The medics, via their Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), sanctioned the strike in March to seek redress on various matters, including the posting of intern doctors, promotions, and the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) conceived in 2017.
Speaking during a church service at AIC Eldoret on Sunday, April 7, the president categorically stated that there was no money available to be spent on intern doctors.
"We have a situation with our doctors and interns. I want to implore them that it is important for us as a nation to agree that we must live within our means. We cannot continue to spend the money we don't have," he said.
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The president expressed concern over the inflated wage bill in the country, noting that it was taking a huge chunk of revenue.
While the doctors' union insisted on better remuneration for its members, the president said his object was to lower the wage bill to below 35% of the country's revenue.
He said the country needed money to fund development and other sectors, suggesting the doctors' call for improved remuneration would not be met given the state's many commitments.
"We can progressively reduce our wage bill so that we can free more resources to create jobs for our young people and to fund our healthcare, education, and development," said Ruto.
With the foregoing, Ruto underscored his administration's resolve to pay intern doctors Sh 70,000 monthly stipend as they await employment.
"I'm telling our friends, the doctors; we mind about them and value their services to our nation, but we must live within our means. The resources we have are only sufficient to pay KSh 70,000 to interns. It is not a salary, but a stipend for only one year and then they will be employed," said the president.
