[Opposition party leader Raila Odinga addressing a gathering in Mombasa, March 25, 2017. Photo/facebook]
Opposition party leader Raila Odinga has expressed disappointment after the government warned doctors will not be paid, for the three months they were on strike.
Through the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), doctors who were on strike since December 5, 2016, signed a Return to Work Formula March 14, ending a 100 days strike.
They had agreed they would be paid for the months they were on strike, as they demanded a 300 per cent salary increment.
Government through spokesperson Erick Kiraithe, and Council of Governors (CoG) chairman Peter Munya, warned that doctors would not be paid for the months they were on strike.
KMPDU through chairman Samuel Oroko has since contested the warning, saying they would likely go back to strike, if they would not be paid.
Odinga, while in Mombasa, Saturday, criticised the government, saying it should ensure the return to work formula is fully implemented.
"The doctors salaries was already in the budget. So I don't see any reason why they should not be paid. It doesn't make sense to sign a Return to Work Formula with doctors, then fail to implement it,'' said the ODM party leader.
He further directed all ODM governors to honour the agreement, and pay doctors the monies.
"I have directed ODM governors to honor the Return to Work Formula signed with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists' Union and pay the three months outstanding arrears to health workers employed in their jurisdiction,'' Raila said.
He added: "We need our health workers back to work motivated and inspired.''
He was speaking when he met ODM aspirants.