The Labour court on Monday sentenced Kenya doctor’s union to one month in jail after they failed to call off their ongoing strike.
“This court decides to resume its order sentencing the applicants to a one month jail term,” Justice Hellen Wasilwa ruled.
“I gave the sentence on conditions but the conditions have not been met to date. The interventions will proceed after my ruling from now,” she added.
Judge Wasilwa on various occasions ordered the doctors to end their strike that started on December 5, 2016 or go to prison for one month.
Earlier on, Judge Hellen Wasilwa, who has been presiding over the matter, had suspended the officials sentencing twice so as to give room for negotiations between the union and other concerned bodies.
The court had directed Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli to lead negotiations to end the industrial action. The meeting which included KMPDU officials, Council of Governors, the Treasury, Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and other Government organs hit a deadlock after the doctors refused another deal offered by the government arguing that it is not what they were bargaining for.
However, the talks to end doctors’ strike have failed to resolve the immpasse.
Atwoli alleged infighting between Heath Permanent Secretary Nicholas Muraguri and his boss Cabinet secretary Cleopa Mailu is to blame and called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene.
The doctors are demanding the implementation of a Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) signed in 2013 but which the court has declared illegal since it was not registered before the Industrial and Labour Court.
The CBA provides aa 300 percent pay rise, review their working conditions, job structures and criteria for promotions; and address under-staffing in state hospitals.
The doctors strike is almost hitting the third month.