Azimio Threatens To Join Doctors' Strike

Azimio la Umoja coalition leaders have threatened to join the ongoing countrywide doctor’s strike.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, April 9, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said they will join the strike if the Kenya Kwanza government fails to meet the demands of the healthcare workers for them to end the industrial action.

The former vice president claimed that over 500 Kenyans have lost their lives since the doctor’s strike began in March.

“We have established this morning that over 500 Kenyans have lost their lives following the doctor’s strike. You may even want to compare that to Shakahola and it seems like nobody seems to care. We are here to say that you will care because if you don’t we are going to come back to this podium and make further statements with regard to showing solidarity with the Kenyan doctors,” Kalonzo stated.

The Wiper leader’s sentiments come hours after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared the doctors’ strike illegal.

In a statement, Kindiki mentioned that the doctors defied a court order that was issued on April 3 and threatened to use violence against health workers who have opted not to participate in the strike.

The Interior CS directed law enforcement agencies to use lawful means and resources available to prevent any disruption of services and protect Kenyans and medical practitioners who have resumed their duties.

“Law enforcement agencies are directed to ensure strict maintenance of law and order to protect the general public and the health workers who have chosen to obey the court order by providing services pending the resolution of the labour dispute,” Kindiki stated.

The doctors have been striking demanding for the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) conceived in 2017 and medical interns to be posted to hospitals.