Medical doctors in Kisumu county on Friday began their new strike, complaining of among others, lack of consideration for their complaints by the county government.
Under the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the over 250 medics who downed their tools are expected to keep off their workplaces until further notice.
KMPDU Nyanza Region Branch Chairman Kevin Osuri said that the strike comes as the union's last option after failed attempts to reach an agreement with the county's health department.
Speaking at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, he demanded honouring of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed on June 24, 2019.
"We have joined the clinical officers the strike until the county government implements the CBA,” he said, adding that the medics must also be promoted to return to work.
Dr Osuri noted that medics have remained stuck in the same ranks for two years, also accusing the Anyang' Nyong'o-led leadership of luring them into a return to work formulas and not honouring the contents of the agreement.
"It is surprising to learn that a doctor will belong to job group S in Kisii but fall in job group M in Kisumu yet they have similar qualifications," he added.
This comes as a repeat of a similar strike in June, where they were demanding for promotions and study leaves.
The medics have now moved to court to have the county forced to fulfil their demands.
Osuri also accused the governor of skipping the planned meeting with the doctors throughout the two-week window the union had given the county to reach it for negotiations.