Siaya governor James Orengo has taken an unexpected stance in the ongoing doctors’ strike. Siaya governor James Orengo addresses the congregation in Nyakach.During a mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Nyakach Constituency, the county boss said he was siding with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU). The county chief called on the national government to ensure the ongoing standoff with the doctors is resolved. Orengo vowed to help doctors in the event they run into legal issues, adding that he would help mobilise seasoned lawyers such as Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo to appear on their behalf. “We are saying without fear of contradiction that the government of the day has to resolve that problem. On this issue although I’m a governor I am on the side of doctors, and if they require legal service I can take part in recruiting more lawyers to come and appear for doctors,” he declared. Subscribe to watch new videos Why is Orengo siding with doctors The county’s chief’s stand is sure to raise questions among his fellow governors, who’ve continued to plead with doctors to return to work. Orengo blamed President William Ruto’s government for the ongoing strike, pointing out that the problems stem from the failure to adhere to the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). “The doctors’ strike is taking place in circumstances in which the national government has failed to resolve a longstanding dispute between the doctors and the national government. I want to say, as James Orengo, I appeared for doctors four years ago when doctors were arrested, including Oluga, who was then the leader of doctors, and he spent about 10 days in jail. Together with Mutula Kilonzo Jr, we represented the doctors and we were able to undertake a negotiation between the national government and doctors’ union to bring resolution to the problem facing doctors. You cannot be talking about Mama Mboga, and she cannot go to the hospital and get treatment because you have failed to resolve the issues of the doctors,” he added. Why Mutahi Kahiga wants doctors fired Meanwhile, Governor Mutahi Kahiga directed the dismissal of striking doctors from Nyeri county who did not show up for work on April 4. The court had instructed the doctors to return to work, even though the government had not resolved their concerns. Kahiga was disappointed that only three doctors followed the court’s orders, with 59 others supporting the union’s demands.
by Didacus Malowa