Doctors have softened their hard stance in the ongoing strike that has paralysed health services for over a month now.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Chairman Samuel Oroko yesterday told The Standard that they were not seeking the "immediate" implementation of a collective bargaining agreement.
"All we want is a framework that outlines the phases and period of implementation of the collective bargaining agreement. Only that and we will be willing to go back to work," he said.
A high-level Government meeting to discuss, among other matters, the doctors' strike, is scheduled to take place in Mombasa today as the strike enters its fifth week.
The Ministry of Health said they would "try and rope in" the doctors to discuss the strike. The doctors' union said it had not received any invitation to a meeting but was quick to add that it was willing to attend one should it be called.
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Sources claimed President Uhuru Kenyatta could be taking up the task to bring the impasse to an end after talks spearheaded by the ministries of Health and Labour failed to yield any positive results.
The President is still at the Coast on a working holiday.
State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu could not be reached for comment.
During his end of the year address, Uhuru made it clear the Government was limited in what it could afford.
COUNTER OFFER
The Health ministry has maintained that it is willing to negotiate with the doctors again, despite having given them a counter offer.
This high-level meeting is likely to be attended by top State officials from the ministries of Treasury, Health and Labour.
January 5, 2017, was supposed to be the deadline for all stakeholders discussing the doctors' collective bargaining agreement, after which it was to be registered.
The Government appealed against this October ruling by Justice Monica Mbaru and the fate of the registration and subsequent implementation of the CBA now remains uncertain.
At the same time, determination on the contempt of court case against the doctors' union is due next Tuesday.
Justice Hellen Wasilwa will either sentence the union officials to jail or fine them for contempt of court for failing to suspend the strike as per a December 2 ruling by Justice Nelson Abuodha.
