Editor's Review

“We want the government to take notice that we cannot remain silent for a longer time when this is persisting, we ask them to act now and if they don’t, the consequences will be great indeed." 

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has asked the Kenya Kwanza government to reinstate the Sh 206,000 salary for medical interns.

Speaking on Thursday April 11, Raila said the government should pay the interns in full until the next round of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)negotiations.

“I therefore ask the government to reinstate the Sh206,000 pay for interns until the next CBA negotiations which are around the corner kick in. During that next round of negotiations, both parties will put their cases on the table for consideration,” said Raila.

The ODM leader also urged the Ministry of Health to pay school fees owed to doctors who are enrolled in further studies.

He noted that counties have been paying doctors while the health ministry has failed to pay the school fees since 2018.

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File image of President William Ruto with Azimio leader Raila Odinga. 

“My understanding is that while Counties have kept their side of the arrangement, the Ministry of Health has failed to do so since 2018. As a result, a number of doctors cannot complete their studies and graduate because of the fees owed. Counties have stopped the salaries because those doctors have overstayed in the college,” Raila stated.

The opposition chief also asked the Ministry of Health to work out a plan to pay stipends to doctors pursuing further education privately while still working at public hospitals.

Further, Raila asked the ministry to lay out rules to stop hospitals from employing doctors on a short-term basis.

“I have been shocked to learn that some of our high-end hospitals are hiring doctors for as short as a month or two months contract. This is wrong, the ministry is failing to stand up for the doctors to prevent the exploitation and exposure to unfair practices,” he added.

The Azimio leader warned the government of the consequences if it fails to address the doctors’ issues and end the ongoing strike.

“We want the government to take notice that we cannot remain silent for a longer time when this is persisting, we ask them to act now and if they don’t, the consequences will be great indeed,” Raila remarked.