The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has said it will sue Machakos Governor Afrred Mutua on Monday for defamation.
KMPDU Secretary General Ouma Oluga in a statement slammed the governor, accusing him of intimidation and providing a hostile working environment for medics in the county.
Dr Olunga reaffirmed that Machakos doctors’ strike is still on.
“We shall, however, sue the Governor on Monday for defamation not only for this statement but on behalf of all Machakos doctors who have been insulted. We encourage all members to bring forth all 'their insults' to be enjoined to this case,” read the statement in part.
“The issue in Machakos above everything else is a hostile work environment characterized by Harassments and High-handedness by the Governor and his Managers.
“Later after we had met the Machakos Doctors, we proceeded to Machakos where he had been informed that the Governor agreed to a meeting to be briefed on what to discuss with the doctors when he will meet them.
“During the meeting, the Governor portrayed extreme arrogance insisting that he will sack all the Machakos doctors. We had demanded that nothing will end the strike other than the Governor meeting ALL Machakos doctors and apologizing for his constant negative publicity. When we could no longer agree on when the Governor will meet doctors, we walked out on the Governor in front of the Media (which he had organized), and all of his Cabinet Members,” read the statement.
Dr Oluga said the Union shall address a press conference in Nairobi at Chester House, to inform the public of every single detail of the suit and other doctors’ strikes.
Dr Mutua had earlier said the strike by doctors is illegal.
He said Machakos County is committed to supporting all staff to work in harmony to ensure proper delivery of services.