After three days of unsuccessful negotiations with the doctor’s union, the Kenyan government has threatened to stop the salaries and union remittances of striking doctors in the East African country.

Speaking after three days of inconclusive negotiations, Kenya’s cabinet secretary for health, Susan Nakhumicha, said,  “We will be asking our counsel to appeal to the court to review the orders that had been issued initially.’’

“… so that we are allowed to take the necessary action to ensure that Kenyans continue to enjoy health care services,” Ms Nakhumicha added.

Doctors in Kenya under the leadership of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, have been on strike since March 15, demanding the government to fulfill collective bargaining agreements signed in 2017.

The decision to go on strike has left the country’s health sector, which experts said is underfunded and understaffed, vulnerable and paralysed medical services in public hospitals across Kenyan cities. 

According to the VOA, the Kenyan government said it addressed all the issues raised by the striking doctors — except for the salary of intern doctors — which union officials say is the deal breaker.

The frustration to reach an agreement has led the government to issue a threat to the medics to force them back to their jobs.