By Anchor Writer
A Court today intervened to stop the ongoing doctors’ strike, ordering the striking medical professionals to resume work immediately.
At the same time, the Milimani Labour Relations court directed the Machakos County Government to settle the doctors’ two months’ salary arrears.
The twin orders gave the doctors the last laugh in the grandstanding between the Doctors union’ KMPDU and the County Government of Machakos.
The order sent union officials on the one hand, the Machakos County Secretary Dr.Muya Ndambuki and Health Minister Justus Kasivu, on the other hand, to swiftly sign a return to work formula. Dr. Ndambuki acknowledged that the court ruling had forced the county’s hand, compelling them to abandon their earlier stance of withholding pay for the days the doctors were on strike.
“We have now signed a return-to-work formula that mandates the immediate resumption of duty, effective December 12th, at 9:00 a.m.,” the humbled Dr. Ndambuki said- without his ‘take this to the bank’ stance on pledge, not to pay doctors for the 60 days they were on strike.
However, the Wavinya administration will pursue contempt proceedings against the medics.
He further revealed plans for systemic changes in how doctors report their work. Under the new measures, doctors will be required to provide detailed records of the number of patients attended to each month and the treatments prescribed.
The move, according to Dr. Muya, seeks to address concerns over some doctors reportedly seeing only one or two patients per month while drawing full salaries.
This development comes a day after the National Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah issued an ultimatum to the Machakos County Government to pay the striking doctors or risk a complete withdrawal of the minimal services still being offered.
Dr. Atellah also highlighted Machakos County’s inclusion among counties failing to meet their obligations to healthcare workers, announcing that Machakos doctors would join a nationwide strike planned for December 22nd unless their demands are addressed.
With the court’s ruling, Machakos residents anticipate relief from the healthcare disruptions caused by the strike. Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration now faces pressure to comply swiftly to avoid further fallout.
This decision signals a reprieve for residents who have endured weeks of limited healthcare services, as both sides in the dispute are forced to find common ground.
However, Governor Wavinya posted on her personal Facebook page a somewhat misleading account of how the strike ended, claiming that the end was brokered by her officials.
Hear the Governor of Machakos “I am happy to inform Machakos County residents that my Government has today signed a return to work formula with doctors, effectively ending the strike that had interrupted healthcare service delivery in public health institutions.
The County Secretary, Dr. Muya Ndambuki and Health CEC-M, Mr. Justus Kasivu brokered the deal on behalf of my Government.
As from tomorrow normal services will resume in our hospitals. We have also ensured there is adequate medicine and other medical utilities in the health institutions.
I thank the doctors for their commitment to serve with humanity. As County Government, we will do all what it takes to ensure smooth operations in the healthcare sector.”
