Africa-Press – Kenya. Azimio leader Raila Odinga has today met with the officials of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union.
In a statement on Saturday on his X account, Raila said the KMPDU officials paid him a courtesy call.
He assured that he is standing in solidarity with the union, acknowledging that the return-to-work formula is a goodwill for both the government and KMPDU.
“I stand in solidarity with the union, and encourage the government to meet them halfway and resolve the outstanding issues,” he said.
The meeting comes days after the KMPDU called off the doctors’ strike after 56 days of downing their tools.
The union signed the return-to-work formula on May 8.
Raila had on Thursday however expressed regret that the agreement came against the backdrop of pain and duress to the public, which he said could have been avoided.
“Our congratulations to the Kenya Dentists and Medical Practitioners Union on the successful negotiations with the government, leading to the Return-to-Work Formula,” he said.
The opposition chief highlighted the importance of both parties to honoring the deal.
“Now every side must keep its side of the bargain. The government must immediately implement its commitment as proof that it has learnt lessons on the fault of intransigence and refusal to honour CBAs and court rulings,” he said.
“The health workers must also show good faith by honouring their side of the agreement signed.”
Raila said he would not hesitate to call out the parties in case they betray the deal.
Speaking after signing the return-to-work agreement, the union’s secretary general Davji Atellah confirmed that the doctor’s strike was indeed called off.
He said the government has insisted the doctors need to believe in them.
“We have decided to take the promise for the last time, as we take this, one of the fundamental issues that is of doctor interns is still pending,” he said.
Atellah assured doctors the union will always endeavour to protect their rights.
As part of the resolution, plans are underway to review staffing norms and standards, enhance HRH coordination through the Kenyan Health Human Resource Advisory Council and establish an intergovernmental task force to address unresolved issues.
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