We are not opposed to devolution, says Kenya doctors

The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) Secretary General, Ouma Oluga has said they are not opposed to devolution in the country.

Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, Oluga said devolution is a constitutional mandate and that the strikes by medical practitioners in several counties do not mean that they are opposed to devolution.

“The strikes are as a result of delayed payments, reduced allowances and lack of promotions of medical practitioners by County governments,” Oluga said.

According to Oluga, some doctors have not been paid for close to 5 months because of lack of funds.
“The health sector in this country is being mismanaged. Close to 420 people die annually because of this mess and this is unacceptable,” Oluga said.

He accused governors of playing politics with the lives of innocent Kenyans who continue to suffer because of perennial strikes by health workers.

“We have always been ready to hold talks with governors over this issue, but they usually bring in politics, they should solve this mess once and for all” Oluga said.